Texas Governor Ignores the Zealots
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has issued an executive order mandating the use of the HPV vaccine, which can help prevent cervical cancer. The conservative Christian's decree trumps opposition in the Legislature and elsewhere from opponents who feel the treatment encourages premarital sex. Texas will be the first state to require that schoolgirls receive the vaccine.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) has issued an executive order mandating the use of the HPV vaccine, which can help prevent cervical cancer. The conservative Christian’s decree trumps opposition in the Legislature and elsewhere from opponents who feel the treatment encourages premarital sex. Texas will be the first state to require that schoolgirls receive the vaccine.
Your support matters…AP:
Beginning in September 2008, girls entering the sixth grade — meaning, generally, girls ages 11 and 12 — will have to receive Gardasil, Merck & Co.’s new vaccine against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV.
Perry also directed state health authorities to make the vaccine available free to girls 9 to 18 who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover vaccines. In addition, he ordered that Medicaid offer Gardasil to women ages 19 to 21.
Perry, a conservative Christian who opposes abortion and stem-cell research using embryonic cells, counts on the religious right for his political base. But he has said the cervical cancer vaccine is no different from the one that protects children against polio.
“The HPV vaccine provides us with an incredible opportunity to effectively target and prevent cervical cancer,” Perry said.
Independent journalism is under threat and overshadowed by heavily funded mainstream media.
You can help level the playing field. Become a member.
Your tax-deductible contribution keeps us digging beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that unearths what's really happening- without compromise.
Give today to support our courageous, independent journalists.
Global Voices
When “forever chemicals” contaminated their water, Italian mothers got organized and took the polluters to court.
Health & Wellness
Chevron intends to produce “climate-friendly” fuel in the Magnolia State and cancer-wary locals are concerned.
TD Original
Glyphosate is linked to the decline of honey bees and everything from cancer, autism and irritable bowel syndrome in humans.
Environment
Experts say the Inflation Reduction Act's push for biogas is "one step forward and two steps back."
The conservative commentator, who just announced he has advanced lung cancer, is presented with the honor during Trump's State of the Union.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.