The Gardasil HPV Vaccine is Dangerous For Your Kids
A New Vaccine and the Risks of Compulsion
02/15/2007
Compulsion is as essential to government as water is to snow. Most of what governments do requires forcing people to do things they might choose not to -- pay taxes, stop at red lights, respect the property of others, avoid creating public nuisances, and so on. But the measure of a free society is its willingness to use compulsion only when it is indispensable. And by that measure, the state of Texas is falling short.
Recently, Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order that surprised both friends and foes -- stipulating that before being admitted to sixth grade, every girl must be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted disease that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. In a reversal of their usual view of the conservative Republican Perry, Planned Parenthood of North Texas applauds the measure, while Concerned Women for America opposes it.
Mandatory immunization, far from being a new development, goes back to the 19th century. But these days, it's generally imposed on schoolchildren only for serious illnesses that can spread easily by casual interaction, such as measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and polio. HPV is not one of those.
The reaction was so severe that he had to retract this order. But, in an election year, this is good to remind voters here in Texas. Keep up the good work.
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