Merck has joined forces with the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and our
Department of Public Health to launch a humanitarian effort aimed at ridding the world of cervical cancer by preventing strains of the
HPV (human papillomavirus) that has been found in 100% of CV. They have aggressively enlisted the Public School System to help corral high school girls for the three stage vaccination.
The CNMI's rate of cervical cancer is
astonishing, almost four times that of the U.S.. The HPV vaccine has the potential to eradicate cervical cancer by preventing the strain of HPV that causes it. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases found gender-wide. In boys, it is like the stealth virus, asymptomatic and not nearly as deadly as it is for girls. Sexual activity increases the risk of HPV, and thus for girls, cervical cancer.
Gardasil, the
FDA approved vaccine made and marketed by Merck, has not yet been approved for boys. The vaccine is not cheap, but argumentatively, neither is cervical cancer.
At the risk of sounding unappreciative for this generous gift, I want to explain myself. My friends think this is unnecessary, but I am moved by many recent happenings. My comments on
Jeff's blog have taken a detour from my maternal gut instincts to whether or not I am grateful for this federal endowment. It's been suggested that I do my research before "killing Frankenstein", and so I have.
As Jeff puts it, "pharmaceuticals are big business". I agree, and this is one of the reasons that Merck has been under scrutiny for it's overly aggressive campaign to
make Gardasil mandatory in public schools. The question the nation seems to be asking is, "have we lost focus from the prevention of cervical cancer to fattening the pockets of drug makers?" The vaccine is not mandatory in the CNMI, so
my question is, "why are we going to vaccinate hundreds of girls at school, during instructional time, when it is a
voluntary shot?" Wouldn't it be better to invite parents to the clinic or a public forum so that they can ask their questions freely? Or are we just trying to get as much of this free stuff used as fast as possible? Maybe free is the wrong word since the CDC, A.K.A. the feds, are buying it in bulk from Merck, on our behalf. I'm not sure how many federal dollars are going into the media campaign for this vaccine, but wouldn't a public meeting be more appropriate in our culture? Many man-amko will not be able to understand the catchy commercials, and given the power of TV persuasion, few people will feel compelled to question them. I think this is too important an issue, given our statistics, not to reach out to the community.
I am not questioning the integrity of the DPH. There are many people who work there that I admire for their determination to bring quality health care to the CNMI. I am not even questioning the intentions of the CDC. I am certain that the Cancer Society supports this, and so they should. I am a little bit uncomfortable knowing that the feds and Merck are in bed with this one.
$50 million bucks is a lot of money for one year and it makes me wonder about the aggressiveness of the drive. This is my right, no? Nobody's perfect, but no one, including
Merck, has a spotless record when it comes to the medications they promote. Many states are tinkering with the idea of mandating this vaccine in schools for girls as young as 9 years old. I'll let you chew on that one.
All of our public schools have Wellness Policies that are directly aligned with National Wellness standards and they do address preventative measures in health. In fact, we welcome the participation and partnership of Public Health. However, is it really the school's responsibility at this time, to aide in mass vaccinations? What about possible mandatory vaccinations? (Because, that's what will be coming down the line if we are not vigilant)
All my children have been immunized, and I do not wish to expose any of them to the horrors of cancer, especially if I can help prevent it. If I felt 100% certain that this was safe, I'm sure we'd be the first family in line. However, it is my maternal prerogative to shelter my girls no matter how hyper-sensitive it looks to others. I know it's "Saipanese" to ask for studies, but I demand them for my children.
Show me that it is safe and I will put my daughters in your trusted hands.
To be fair, most of the reported side effects are non life threatening and in comparison to cervical cancer, they are almost harmless. Even girls who have no sexual history are susceptible to HPV, because as
Jane puts it, they can be victims of sexual crimes. The benefits today, seem to outweigh the risks. If you are willing to do the research, not rely on my seemingly biased opinions, and you become convinced, then please, get your daughter(s) inoculated. It's a golden opportunity to avail of preventative medicine that would otherwise cost the average person an arm and a leg (and a cervix).
I will continue to exert my right as an American and a mother, to reserve judgment/a decision. Here are a list of
objections and some
benefits that I've found useful. Though my tone seems otherwise, I am neither campaigning for or against the vaccine. I am asserting my right and yours, to make informed decisions. Go to the DPH with your daughter before signing the consent form, ask lots of questions, even the ones you feel silly asking, and don't leave until you are satisfied. Call your doctor and get his/her opinion. The DPH has made it clear that they are eager to hear the public's concerns. Read about it everywhere, even on the government sites. No one should die of cervical cancer if they don't have to, especially not our daughters. But, please, don't pull my toenails out with your tweezers just because I'm skeptical. Not until you have spent years listening to my Sommer's laugh, seen Peyton's crayon-drawn family portraits and heard Hope talk about the dreams she has for her life. Not until you've agonized over every decision you've ever made when it came to their futures.
Come to the blogger meet up tonight at Java Joe's at 7.
Can I get a warning sign next time, please?
You absolutely rock!
Love: Mom,
Hope,
Dad,
Open House at Mt. Carmel. We met all of Hope's new teachers and received our
Professional Development: Clinical Supervision & Evaluation
Yes, those are french fries. Yes, that is fina-deni. No joke, they brought it to the table like this.
The G.E.S. Health & Wellness Team at work.
Chicken Marsala a la Jeff
I consider myself a thinker, and you'd agree with me if you equated mental jibberish with thinking too. My rumination is often limited to monosyllables and one word sentences: "eat", "groceries", "P.O.", "substitute", "timesheet", "sleep" - although not necessarily in that order and often simultaneously.
Tony Jr. is going to be 15 this week. I still remember the first time I laid eyes on him. I waited for what seemed forever to hold him in my arms, and when he finally arrived I felt like I had to. Like all the misgivings and misfortune in my life were somehow erased. I had a son. Among my children, he and I have the most in common, although he doesn't look a thing like me. It still catches me off guard how much he's grown. Could I have really raised this young man? What did I do to deserve these precious years as his mother? Lord, I am so humbled that you've entrusted me with his life for even a short while. So humbled and so grateful.
It's a Tony-Boni sighting everyone!
Who likes girls in glasses? 
Hey- watch the head yo!
I sure wish I had those nachos right now
The Bald-win brothers! Ha, ha, ha
Oops there goes another year with my...
Oops, there goes another year with my...
Training Troops to Teachers w/Americorps Tutors
