Why the controversy? Many social conservatives fear
that providing the vaccine may provide subtle approval for
young women to engage in sex, much in the same way as
providing birth control information and condoms are sometimes condemned. Some of the response was in regard to
the recommendations from a panel of experts assembled
by the CDC. The panel issues widely followed guidelines,
including recommendations for childhood vaccines that
become the basis for vaccination requirements set by
public schools. The panel recommended that the vaccine be required.
Merck company officials and others noted that research
indicates the best age to vaccinate would be just before puberty
to make sure children are protected before they become sexually active. The vaccine would probably be targeted primarily
at girls, but could also be used on boys to limit the spread of
the virus. "If you really want to have cervical cancer rates fall
as much as possible as quickly as possible, then you want as
many people to get vaccinated as possible `said Mirk Feinberg,
Merck's vice president of medical affairs and policyc noting that
"school mandates have been one of the most effective ways to
increase immunization rates"That is the view being pushed by
cervical cancer experts and women's health advocates.
Not surprisingly, a major clash emerged, mostly notably when the state ofTexas made it a requirement to have the vaccine in order to be admitted to school.The battle.lines were pritaking the medicine, one leon will become infectedmarily drawn over girls being forced to take a medicine, with or: without parental consent, along with the concerns expressed about sexual activity.
Company officials from Merck worked carefully with both
governmental agencies and other groups to reduce concerns.,
In 2008, the company began advertising Gardasil in television
commercials entitled "One Less" and "Guard Yourself!' A powerful point is made by