HPV

Children of God for Life Urges Parents:  Oppose HPV Vaccine Mandate

For Immediate Release, July 10, 2006

(Largo, FL) Children of God for Life is joining other Christian leaders in urging parents to oppose a mandate of Merck’s new Gardasil HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine.  On June 29th, The ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommended the shot be added to routine vaccination schedules for children as young as 9 years old.

While the vaccine may be an effective method of preventing some types of cervical cancer and does not use aborted fetal cell lines in its production – a primary focus of Children of God, the group noted it raises other moral concerns.

“While we welcome advances in medicine that could help fight cervical cancer, there is no health reason to force this vaccine on children”, said the group’s Executive Director, Debi Vinnedge. “HPV is not a viral infection you catch by sneezing –  it is sexually transmitted.”

It is understandable why Merck wants the vaccine mandated. On June 5th, Fortune Magazine writer John Simons reported Merck would make $2-$4 billion dollars annually if the vaccine is mandated by the States.  The shots, given three times over a 6 month period, will cost $360.00.

While the vaccine may last up to five years Vinnedge believes that could spell trouble for unsuspecting young girls who may have a false sense of being protected when in fact, they are not.

“Just how is she supposed to know when immunity wanes without constant surveillance and testing?” questioned Vinnedge.

On May 17^th The Washington Post reported the FDA warning that, “any advantage the vaccine provides in protecting against the four virus types could be offset by infection by any of the multiple [over 100] other types of HPV that the vaccine does not cover.”  The FDA further noted five cases of children born with birth defects to women vaccinated early in pregnancy.

Noted Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, Human Life International President, “While the vaccine may in some instances help women from getting cervical cancer, it is being promoted disingenuously as “protection” much the same way that condoms are promoted as “safe/safer” sex.”

A recent study rejected as inadequate and misleading by Christian leaders tried to tout the effectiveness of condoms against HPV. “If condoms are so effective, why would one need the vaccine?” Vinnedge asked.

Linda Klepacki, a Focus on the Family analyst for sexual health, said in a statement to the Associated Press, “”By giving its highest level of recommendation, the panel has placed strong pressure on state governments to make HPV vaccinations mandatory. If that happens, state officials, not parents, would become the primary sexual-health decision makers for America’s children. That’s the way things are done in dictatorships, not democracies.”

Vinnedge urges parents to let their State lawmakers know if they oppose mandating the vaccine for school admission. “Once the ACIP recommends it, it is only a matter of time before the States will vote to mandate it.”