Texas Physician and Mother Voices Concern about HPV Vaccine
“Not only am I a doctor, but I am also a mother of a young, beautiful girl entering sixth grade. What do you want me to tell her? ‘It’s okay honey, we’re just going to experiment on you?’”
Those were the words of Dr. Linda Flower, TPRC executive director, physician and Texas mother, ending her testimony before a House Public Health Committee investigating the HPV vaccine. The committee commissioned Dr. Flower to offer medical insight on the HPV vaccine controversy that erupted just after Gov. Perry issued an executive order mandating Gardasil for all girls entering sixth grade in public school. Dr. Flower’s testimony to the committee reflected the position of TPRC as a whole, stating:
After careful consideration of Gov. Perry’s mandate and the drug Gardasil, our position is that the safety and health of our young girls is best protected by the option that guarantees the most parental involvement. TPRC opposes any mandate that requires girls to receive any HPV vaccination.
–Executive Statement of Texas Physicians’ Resource Council.
As a result of this Texas House hearing and pro-family efforts at the Capitol, Texas legislators passed a bill overturning the vaccine mandate, saving over 165,000 11 year-old girls in Texas from a risky injection…including Dr. Flower’s own daughter. Although a political battle has ceased to exist, the medical one continues. The HPV vaccine controversy has led TPRC and other experts to take a closer look at the Gardasil vaccine produced by Merck, and seek to inform families of the benefits and risks.
*Texas Physicians' Resource Council (TPRC) serves as an organization of Christian physicians and dentists committed to bringing the truth to the medically-related problems that face our families today. For more information, visit www.texasphysicians.org.
The 411 on HPV
● HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus, a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer.
● Some ‘high-risk’ types of HPV can turn into cervical cancer, if not treated early.
● Gardasil, Merck’s HPV vaccine, does not cure existing HPV infections, does not treat HPV related problems, does not reduce the need for screening exams or Pap smears, and does not reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections.
● No one knows the long-term effects of Gardasil; approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only in June 2006.
● According to the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), adverse events were reported in 82 Gardasil cases over a six month period.
● An HPV vaccine can prevent certain forms of HPV, and ultimately some cases of cervical cancer.
Free Market Alerts on HPV Vaccine
Texas House Overwhelmingly Votes to Reverse HPV Mandate
HPV Controversy Continues--CDC Opposes Mandate
Governor Perry's Executive Order Raises Many Questions
HPV Bill Pending in Committee - Merck Halts Big Push on the Vaccine
Free Market Press Releases on HPV Vaccine
Press Release: Free Market Foundation Opposes Vaccination Mandate
Executive Statements on HPV Vaccine
TPRC Executive Committee Statement on HPV Vaccine
To speak to Free Market Foundation personnel who have testified on the HPV Vaccine, or to set up an interview, please contact Nicole Hay at 972-423-8889 ext. 102 or email media[at]freemarket[dot]org.