Wow.

[synnoveaevael]

New Hampshire was a cool state because of the whole "Live free or DIE" motto. How badass, right?

Well, they got just so much cooler in my world.

They have to remember. The boys need to get vaccinated TOO.

N.H. to offer girls free cancer vaccine

By NORMA LOVE, Associated Press Writer Wed Nov 29, 6:26 PM ET

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire announced plans Wednesday to become the first state to offer the new cervical-cancer vaccine free to all girls. Beginning in January, the vaccine against the human papilloma virus, or HPV, will be provided to girls ages 11 through 18 as part of a state program that offers various immunizations to children at no cost.

The program is paid for by the federal government and insurance companies.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in June for girls as young as 9. It prevents infection from some strains of HPV, a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Cervical cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer in women.

"We cannot overstate the huge breakthrough in this vaccine," New Hampshire Public Health Director Mary Ann Cooney said.

State officials hope about 17,000 girls — a quarter of those eligible — will come forward for the vaccinations next year.

Officials want to vaccinate girls before they become sexually active, because the vaccine does not protect those who have already been exposed to 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, including HIV, or from getting pregnant.

A total of $4.8 million has been budgeted for the vaccine next year.

Comments

[lebonheurbum.livejournal.com]

New Hampshire is the state where the "Free State Project" of the Libertarian Party is taking place. They're basically trying to make that entire state a throwback to the original Constitution, rather than having the government micro-manage everything. I really want to move up there. Heh.

[synnoveaevael.livejournal.com]

hehehee... well, i gotta say. it's looking good to me ;)

[brangwaine.livejournal.com]

*starts packing*

Fire up them engines, girls! We'z a movin' on!

[synnoveaevael.livejournal.com]

*giggles*

[embly917.livejournal.com]

The vaccine isn't indicated by the FDA for boys yet. But that's in the works.

[synnoveaevael.livejournal.com]

i read, i'm excited. i just don't want to see this whole "it'll make girls promiscuous" thing get transfered to men.

although. that's sillie. when have men EVER been ridiculed for having too much sex. oh wait, unless they're gay. nevermind.

*rolls eyes*

[embly917.livejournal.com]

Well, if you want the complete truth, I think that the reason it's not yet approved for boys is exactly that. They can market it as a "cervical cancer" vaccine for girls, but they can't market it as such for boys. They can only market it as an STD prevention for boys. This wouldn't go over too well in our media world with the conservatives because they would indeed think it promotes promiscuity for boys. So in reality, I would bet LOTS of money that the only reason it's not available for boys yet is strictly because of marketing reasons. They don't know how to market it without conveying "it's okay to have tons of sex, you won't get HPV!" Know what I mean?

It totally totally sucks.

[synnoveaevael.livejournal.com]

yeah. i think you're dead on there.

[sungodincarnate.livejournal.com]

Hmmm . . . Hew Hampshire is to Vermont as East Germany was to West Germany. When I drove through Vermont there were all these pot smoking Green party / communist hippies, then I hit New Hampshire and it was all soccer mom's and "Vote for Bush" bumper stickers.

Damn slutty Republicans need those vaccine's. LMAO.

[synnoveaevael.livejournal.com]

hahahah

[blueyz72.livejournal.com]

Knowing CT it probably isn't free, but I do know the vaccine is availbale here now as well. One of my students went to get it this week. I found out because her arm was hurting the day later -Damn shots!! but at least I know they offer it now. Sigh, the kids get SOO many shots these days!

[synnoveaevael.livejournal.com]

YAY!!

[drgaellon]

Boys don't get sick from HPV unless it finds its way to the rectum ("That'd be in the butt, Bob"). AFAIK, there are no plans to vaccinate boys for HPV, though it may be an optional vaccine for men at risk (i.e. nancy boys like me).

[synnoveaevael.livejournal.com]

well, hpv is also the virus that causes genital warts, and well, i've seen them first hand on a penis.. sooo. it happens.

but they can also transmit it to women, so it'd be a good prevenative strike.

nancy boys like you are fun. shoosh you.