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| Date: From: Subject: | 4/10/2007 9:39:11 AM Home School Legal Defense Association Texas: Calls Needed Immediately to Protect Parental Rights |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== April 10, 2007 Texas: Calls Needed Immediately to Protect Parental Rights Dear HSLDA members and friends: Through this legislative session we have been keeping you updated on the progress of H.B. 1098. This bill would rescind Governor Rick Perry's executive order requiring the vaccination of 11-year-old girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease. This bill passed the House on a 119-21 vote. The bill is now in the Senate and has a hearing this morning at 11 o'clock in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. We need your calls immediately so that the bill can get before the full Senate. ACTION REQUESTED: Please call as many senators on the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services this morning as you can and give them this message: "Immunization against HPV should not be required for a child's admission to school. Let parents decide what is best for their children. Please vote for H.B. 1098, to rescind Governor Perry's executive order." You do not need to identify yourself as a homeschooler. Members of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services: Chair Jane Nelson, (512) 463-0112 Vice Chair Bob Deuell, (512) 463-0102 Kyle Janek, (512) 463-0117 Robert Nichols, (512) 463-0103 Dan Patrick, (512) 463-0107 Eliot Shapleigh, (512) 463-0129 Carlos Uresti, (512) 463-0119 Royce West, (512) 463-0123 Judith Zaffirini, (512) 463-0121 BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a group of viruses that have about 100 different strains or types. Over 30 of these viruses are sexually transmitted. While most HPV infections are dealt with by the body's immune system and no symptoms occur, there are several types that can cause cancer or genital warts. For more information about HPV see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention information at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=3788 . Those who are most likely to get HPV are those who have sex at an early age, have many sex partners, or have a sex partner who has had many partners. However, the only FDA approved HPV vaccine, Gardasil, (http://www.gardasil.com/ ) is not a cure for HPV or cervical cancer. Instead the vaccine seeks to prevent an individual from contracting the four specific types of HPV (6, 11, 16, and 18) which are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. There is currently no cure for these sexually transmitted viruses. Even the FDA and the CDE admit the only "cure" is abstinence before marriage and a monogamous relationship during marriage. There have been no long-term studies of the HPV vaccine. Children in the 9-year-old age group have been monitored for only 18 months and there have been no studies on the carcinogenic risk or the general toxicity of the vaccine itself. From July 2006 to the end of 2006, there were 385 unique reports of adverse events filed with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) following the receipt of the vaccine. For a full review of these reports please see http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=3789 . Additionally, there is some concern that rushing to mandate the HPV vaccine for pre-teen girls will not have the intended affect of preventing cervical cancer. Early immunization may not be effective because the vaccine could wear off before the person is most susceptible. Gardasil has only been proven to have five years of effectiveness. While there appears to be a 10-to-15-year incubation period for certain HPV types potentially becoming cervical cancer, the average age a woman contracts cervical cancer is in her mid 40s. For more information see http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=3790 . Over the past few months, Merck, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Gardasil, has lobbied vigorously to mandate the HPV vaccine for middle school age girls. At present there are over 34 states where HPV bills have been introduced. A few state legislatures have already defeated HPV bills this year. Due to all of the concerns raised about mandating the Gardasil vaccine to middle school age girls, Merck has abandoned its efforts to lobby state legislatures to require the vaccine. Sincerely, Christopher J. Klicka HSLDA Senior Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many news articles did you read this morning over your oatmeal? We live in a world where concise information presented at the right time can make a big difference in the outcome of important legislative efforts. Yet it's tough to keep up with all the issues that affect you. HSLDA does this for you in the areas that affect your homeschool. Our emails and website enable you to take quick, decisive action. Please consider becoming a part of this team. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1923 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
