Editorial: HPV Vaccinations Should Remain Voluntary
"Without question, girls and women should get Gardasil," the vaccine that protects women against certain cancer-causing forms of human papillomavirus, a San Diego Union-Tribune editorial states. However, they should get the vaccination voluntarily, "just like many voluntarily get Pap tests."
A bill (AB 16) introduced last week by Assembly member Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) would require girls entering the sixth grade to be immunized, barring a parental waiver. However, HPV is "substantially less threatening" than other illnesses for which vaccinations are required, according to the editorial.
"Put simply, officials must stay out of our private lives unless the safety of everybody is at stake," the editorial states (San Diego Union-Tribune, 12/12).