Without the White Coat
HPV vaccine… a question of Public Health
Several states in the US are under fire for adopting a vaccination program for middle-aged school girls that aims to prevent sexually-transmitted virus causing cervical cancer. The vaccine in question is “GARDASIL” (Merck & Co.), a vaccine that will protect women against two strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes 70% of all cervical cancers. (Composed of three shots of the vaccine with an estimated cost of $360 dollars). Actually, it is not the vaccine that is on the spotlight but an executive order coming from the governor of the state which is perceived by some critics to promote promiscuity among this age group teenagers and could step upon the rights of the parents on their children. Also put in question is the unknown long-term effects of the new vaccine.
Vaccinations, as part of the public health advocacy, help a lot in the the war against infection such as polio and small pox. The American people are so lucky with a lot of its government budget being spent on public health.
Vaccines are there as a part of the preventive aspect of medical practice whose final aim and objective is to save lives. It is the preservation of life that we all see that will make a big difference. In some states, the passage of the bill adopting a vaccination program for middle-aged school girls face no opposition but in other states the bill which is supported by the pharmaceutical company (Merck & Co.) is being questioned. It is believed that the legislation could benefit the the pharmaceutical company which is unfair to the others.
Well, indeed, we need basic immunizations (EPI) to prevent the occurrence of diseases. In the local setting even the rabies vaccine is considered too expensive especially for the common “tao”. The government should look into providing for these types of vaccines as part of its social responsibility.
Public Health is a public trust given by the population at large to its administrators. Personal interests of the legislators or the pharmaceutical companies should always be set aside for the interest of the whole population and for the good of all.
Educating the public will always come first, before we roll the red carpet on any measures that will affect the community.