QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HPV VACCINE TO ANSWER BEFORE IT BECOMES MANDATORY

[From testimony before the Dc City Council]

ASANTEWAA NKRUMAH-TURE - I am not personally advocating against the HPV vaccine; I'm strongly advocating that we all ask questions and demand all of our questions and concerns be addressed to our satisfaction. . . The following questions must be asked:

- Does the vaccine Gardasil prevent all types of cervical cancer? If not, which ones will it prevent? Does the vaccine protect against the most common types of cervical cancer here in the USA? If the leading killer of women in the USA is heart disease and not breast or cervical cancer, why is this vaccine being made "mandatory"?

- New Jersey-based Merck Co. makes this vaccine and its questionable ties to politicians and others has now come to light. For example, Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry received $6,000 from the drug company's political action committee during his re-election campaign. . . Billions of dollars can be made by the drug company; the three required doses cost $360, and of course, the drug company is aggressively pushing for the vaccine to be "mandatory."

- Who is held liable in the case of mild or severe adverse effects or allergic reactions? . . . How many years of study on possible adverse effects has been done and documented?

- How do you "opt out" and who is responsible for explaining this process? Is it a time consuming process? Are there any penalties for opting out?

- If a young girl's parent [or] guardian is in jail, prison or a mental institution, do such parents [or] guardians give up their right to give consent for this vaccine? Who will advise such parents [or] guardians of their legal rights?

- Has Merck and Co. had any type of contact with any members of our City Council, their staff members, our city's Department of Health, their staff members or any other city officials? Has this drug company had any contact with any of our city's community leaders or other health care professionals?

- Cervical cancer and HIV - AIDS are both caused by a virus. Why are some people trying to make the HPV vaccine "mandatory" and not mandatory testing for HIV - AIDS, especially in a city like Washington, DC with its ever increasing HIV - AIDS rate, especially among women? Since DC General Hospital is now closed, where do you go to get the vaccine? Community clinics? Planned Parenthood? Your private doctor's office?

- The obvious race, class and gender aspects of this issue cannot be overlooked. Why didn't the HPV vaccine proponents do the kind of research of community opinion and carefully plan educational programs to answer any and all questions and concerns parents and the general public may have? . . .

- Why not make high quality public schools, equipment, supplies and infrastructure "mandatory"; comprehensive, science-based human sexuality education; affordable health care; health insurance; living-wage jobs; domestic violence, sexual assault and violence prevention education; high school and post-high school vocational education; substance abuse prevention education, etc. Why must African people, women, people of color and other marginalized groups of people, our bodies, be made guinea pigs for the benefit and advancement of science?