A very welcome update on the HPV saga in Texas–where the governor decided to do some creative legislation and rewarded his friends at Merck by mandating the most expensive vaccine in the history of medicine. A vaccine for a disease, I might add, that is also not spread by casual contact and affects only a tiny number of women a year in the U.S. (I’m talking about cervical cancer, which is uncommon in the U.S.)

Seems that the good ‘ol boys in the Texas legislature were not pleased with the governor’s gift to Merck, especially considering the outrage voiced by many of the general population. Sorry, Merck, but it looks like your windfall in Texas is nothing but hot air.

From Bloomberg:

The Texas House of Representatives voted today to overturn Governor Rick Perry’s executive order that sixth-grade girls be vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer.

The measure passed 118 to 23, according to Chris Cutrone, a spokesman for House Speaker Tom Craddick. A similar bill in the Texas Senate has been sponsored by half the members. It’s still under consideration by a committee.

Perry has the option of vetoing the bill, but that would probably be political suicide. If he’s smart, he’ll just have to break his promise to Merck and mumble some excuse and then lay low.

It also seems that Virginia and New Mexico may also soon pass laws mandating the Gardasil vaccine. I hope that opponents immediately turn to legal challenges to stop these laws in their tracks. Having an opt out for parents is fine, but many will be unaware of it. I just cannot believe how many people think that this vaccine should be forced on young girls, in an effort to save them from the perils of cervical cancer.

Most HPV infections, even with the more noxious strains, do not lead to cancer in American women. We are generally healthy enough, so our immune system gets rid of it. HPV, of course, can be avoided by restricting sexual activity to one unaffected partner. In lieu of that, condoms are about 70% effective in preventing transmission.

Folks, this is not a deadly airborne plague which has fallen upon us, for which there is no cure or treatment, and which will kill millions if not stopped. If that were the case, then using an untried and brand new vaccine is appropriate. But for HPV? Give me a break. Merck is aggressively promoting this thing, and along with their pals at the FDA, downplaying any adverse effects–real or potential. This is Merck’s answer to the Vioxx scandal, their way of rebuilding their coffers after the beating they took with Vioxx.

Maybe someone should ask Merck why the damn thing is so expensive?

If people want to vaccinate their daughters, and young women want to get the vaccine, then be my guest. I don’t think that insurance should pay for it until it has gone through several years of post marketing testing. I do think that it should be free to poorer populations, however, where access to healthcare is limited and rates of cervical cancer tend to be the highest.

Physicians and anyone dispensing the vaccine (like all of you nurses out there) should advise parents/patients that the vaccine is brand new, has not undergone any postmarketing testing, and therefore, long term adverse effects are unknown. Currently known side effects should be disclosed. And if people still want it, then go ahead. But this is a vaccine that should never be mandated.

Amazing, isn’t it, that for once I am siding with the very conservative Christian right on a health issue. Live and learn.