I recently posted some articles about Governor Brown’s new law that will allow children as young as 12 to receive the Gardasil vaccine without their parents’ knowledge or consent.
In case you’re just hearing about the newest vaccine debate, here’s some info about Gardasil from the website to get you started:
GARDASIL is the only HPV vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV. In girls and young women ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause about 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. In boys and young men ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 90% of genital warts cases.
GARDASIL also helps protect girls and young women ages 9 to 26
against 70% of vaginal cancer cases and up to 50% of vulvar cancer cases.
So why wouldn’t parents want their kids getting this vaccine?
Some parents are concerned about side effects. Others fear that vaccinating children against STDs will give kids a green light to jump in the sack. Jerry Brown’s law, which takes effect in January, 2012, simply removes parents’ from the equation. Problem solved.
But noticeably missing from all the noise are the voices of those most affected by the whole debate: the kids. If we’re going to plop this responsibility in their laps, it seems fitting that we hear what they have to say about it.
So I asked around.
Let me preface by saying, there is no particular research design here. The 40 or 50 kids I surveyed ranged in age from 14-19 and reside in Los Angeles county. I explained the law, briefly explained what Gardasil was – a striking number of them had never heard of it – and described the concerns on both sides of the issue. The quoted answers below represent the most common responses I received.
Here’s what they said:
What do you think of the law? | |
“If the child wants to take that risk, I think it’s okay but the child should be informed, given all the information so that they would be smarter on the decision they are going to make.” “Nobody should be denied vaccines for any reason.” “Actually [Gardasil] should just be mandated like other vaccines you need for school.” | "It’s wrong because [Governor Brown] should at least talk to the parents or have them vote.” “This law may expand for other medical uses.” "This is not okay. It sounds like [the law] was done out of a whim or something.” |
Are kids old enough to make this decision? | |
“As teenagers we know what we are doing.” “any [kid] can be educated about this if their doctor is willing.” “When you feel that it’s your responsibility you rise to the occasion”. “Every kid should have the right [to make the decision]. Because it’s their responsibility and their own body.” | "12 year olds are are still young and don’t know what they are doing. I mean at least the kids should be a little older, like 15 or 16, so they can actually think more carefully for themselves." “[Kids] are more interested in playing and are not going to be able to make a serious decision." “If kids are able to get their own medicine, they should be responsible to do anything.” |
What about the parents? | |
“Some parents are worried about side effects. But what’s worse, a few side effects or cancer?” “A lot of parents are uninformed or even ignorant. Look at the whole autism debate.” | “Kids can take this vaccine behind the parents back and if something goes wrong it’s the parents’ responsibility and nobody wins except for the drug company [who] wins your money.” "Parents care and they know what’s good and bad for kids. "If the kids are making decisions like that, what are parents for?” |
