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.

Although there is major public outcry about this, I see more positives than negatives about requiring girls to get this shot. Infact I was listening to LOVE Line the other day and Dr. Drew was encouraging all women to get this shot ASAP! Not only does it prevent cervial cancer but it also protects women from a majority of Herpies strains, and lets face it, With STDS running rampant who wouldn't want to be protected from getting genital herpies. My question is when can guys get the vaccine?
Discuss

I don't like the government telling me what I must do especially with my children.

Recommending is OK.

I know that they end up passing laws because there are a lot of stupid people that don't have the common sense to do things the right way.

Example. Seat belts. I wear mine (but not the shoulder harness, I tuck that part behind the headrest) because I know it’s a safety thing, not because the government tells me I have too. (That's a revenue generating thing!)

That being said, our daughter is 15 and my wife and I are talking to her about getting this vaccine.

I think it's great that they have the means to eradicate one kind of cancer.

Do you feel that way about infant vaccinations too? I kind of do. But for different reasons than most. But in the end, I do it and try very hard to trust the reasons for it all. It's a touchy subject and much of it, for me, is fueled with emotion rather than some kind of level headed thinking.

It's a flaw. I'm working on it.

I can't remember the statistics but its something like one in 10 kids between the age of 18 and 35 hav some sort of STD. Scary stuff, and most types of herpies can lead to cerivical canceer in women a DEADLY type of cancer.
No Im not A Dr. but i did attend Medical school!

Correct me If Im wrong, but I believe guys can get the shot to protect them from a majority of the genital herpies strains. I thought I heard Dr. Drew also say something about guys getting the shot also. I also heard Dr. Drew preaching about how all young women SHOULD be getting this vaccine. He's been pretty hardcore about promoting this vaccine. Although who the hell knows, maybe he has ties with the Merk Compny and they are paying him to say this on the radio.
On A side note, Ever wonder how much those actors are paid on those commercials for Valtrex- The herpies medicine. Those commercials crack me up. Especially the one with a pretty girl in a rowboat talking about how "she never thought it would happen to her untill one day she woke up and found out she had genital herpies. Those actors must have been wannabe actors who have been turned down by every acting agency and turned down by every movie producer. They're hoping that their last shot and next "big break" will come from a genital herpies commercial.

about 15,000 women ger that type of cancer a year, and its theorized repeated exposure to STD's may be a cause.

So your going to make all girls take the vaccine, since there is a hazard taking any vaccine, it should be the individuals right to take it or not.

A lot more people die in traffic accidents, lets just make the national speed limit 30 MPH, and enforce it with governors on cars. That would save a lot more lives.

I want to know how much, and what kind of kickback the Governor of Texas is getting from Merck. I think I read that the shots cost about $350 for the series...

That being said, it's money well spent, and we're lucky that Baby M. has many years until she needs this, so there's plenty of time to see if there are any bad side effects, if not, she 's getting it.

Mayo, I always cringe at the herpes Rx ads too, because like the pregnancy test, condom and "personal lubricant" ads, they always make sure to show the couples' wedding rings. As if only married hetero people have sex.

Yup Agreed merkin! Sometimes a dollar amount is worth it, even if the asking price is a lot. 350 is money worth spent even if the chance of getting cancer is slim. Even if Cancer is not a great chance, who wants to get genital herpes?? If this vaccine eradicates a majority of the herpes viruses than Im not sure who wouldn't want to get the vaccine, especially if you are a sexually active teen.
Just my 2 cents, not nearly as cool as fity cent!

Well.....misery loves company.....why else do you think people get married!

LOL