In August, state Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, proposed the Cervical Cancer Education and Prevention Bill."" This bill would mandate schools to educate their students about the Human Papilloma Virus vaccination. Last Wednesday, the state Assembly Public Health Committee held a public hearing regarding the bill.
Since HPV is a virus that can result in cervical cancer for many women, Wisconsin lawmakers should pass this bill and draw support from the state's residents. HPV is such a common disease, and educating today's youth about its dangers and the methods that can be used to prevent is essential to ensure good health for Wisconsin's future generations.
This is not the first time legislation was proposed pertaining to the HPV vaccination. Last year, a bill that required young girls in Wisconsin to receive the HPV vaccination was proposed, but subsequently failed. Many parents took issue with the state trumping their freedom to decide whether this vaccination is right for their children.
Parents who opposed the bill did not like the idea that their young, ""impressionable"" children would be getting vaccinations that prevent a virus that results from sexual intercourse. Parents wanted to have their right to inform their children about the nature of sexual intercourse preserved. On the other hand, others supported the bill for its potential to protect their children from the number two cause of death in the United States: cancer.
More information about the vaccination and virus would lead to better informed decisions. When it comes to health issues, there are few, if any, instances when having less information is beneficial.
In order to be fair to those families who object to the vaccination, lawmakers should include a provision in the bill allowing parents to withhold their children from the HPV vaccination information sessions.
