New Hampshire to be first state in US to offer cervical-cancer vaccine FREE to ALL girls

[Bluebear]

I am so proud of New Hampshire!

========
Beginning in January, the vaccine will be provided free to girls ages 11 through 18. The federal government and insurance companies are paying for the program.


CONCORD, New Hampshire: New Hampshire announced plans Wednesday to become the first state in America to offer a new cervical-cancer vaccine free to all girls.

The federal Food and Drug Administration in June approved the vaccine for girls as young as 9, leading some critics to say it would promote teen sexuality.

But officials want to vaccinate girls against the sexually transmitted virus before they become sexually active, because the vaccine does not protect those who have already been exposed to the human papilloma virus, or HPV.

"Some say giving the vaccination to 11-year-old girls is a license to promiscuity. I disagree," New Hampshire Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen said. He urged abstinence, noting that the vaccine will not protect girls from other sexually transmitted diseases or from getting pregnant.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/29/america/NA_GEN_US_Cancer_Vaccine.php

[Sydnie]

1. I wish I was in NH

I want to get this for my daughter ... free would be GREAT. Congrats NH ... You make us New Englanders very proud!

[filer]

2. Way to go, New Hampshire!

:thumbsup:

[rwheeler31]

3. Thanks

nt

[stevedeshazer]

4. A rare dose of sanity in a sea of ridiculousity

"Imagine...these evil liberal doctors vaccinating these girls at age 11." -Sean Hannity, for the next three excruciating weeks.

[Bluebear]

5. I can see NH will be swamped by fundies any minute

[jgraz]

6. The glass is 2% full

It's a fucking tragedy that 49 other states aren't doing this yet.