The history of mandatory vaccination within Canada against diseases such as smallpox, measles and Hepatitis B are inconsistent with Canada’s current HPV policy. Measles and smallpox were among the first diseases to result in public health immunization laws. However, while this Canadian policy serves as precedent for current HPV public health campaign, the nature of the diseases differ significantly. Both measles and small pox can be transmitted by an air bourn route, which significantly decreases individual agency in fostering prevention. Making sexually safe lifestyle choices (including getting tested for STIs regularly, and having safer sex) which is a crucial component in HPV prevention are irrelevant to preventing smallpox and measles; therefore increasing the necessity for widespread vaccination.
In addition, an analogy has often been made by public health officials and policy makers between the widespread hepatitis B and the new HPV vaccine program. Since the early 1990s a school based universal vaccination program targeting children 9-13 has been enforced in all provinces and territories in Canada. Numerous similarities between HPV and Hepatitis B exist, as Hepatitis B is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact. However differences remain which make Hepatitis B an imperfect example when applied to HPV vaccine. Nearly a third of all incidences of Hepatitis B are contracted during childhood making vaccination of children a viable solution. Historically Canada has not vaccinated girls through the school system for sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, advocating the HPV vaccine to girls and women under the pretense that this is consistent with Canada’s policy history is therefore irresponsible.
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2 comments:
I don't understand why certain school boards, and especially parents, are not taking proper percautions for their daughter's health. I'm not sure that young girls will necessarily see this as an open opportuntiy to have sex, but in fact, just like other vaccinations, it is a way to stay protected. If the schools and the parents are doing their jobs, then they shouldn't have to worry as much about their daughter's having unprotected or impulsive sex.
To respond to the above comment with complete honesty, I'm not sure that it is the responsibility of school boards or even parents for that matter to take 'percuations for their daughter's health'. The education system and parents have the responsibility to EDUCATE, support and inform girls AND BOYS about safer sex practices; however, ultimately the responsibility to practice safer sex resides the individuals have sex and no one else. I'm so frustrated with the current awareness campaign because as far as I'm concern they've got it all wrong. Instead of using the availability of the gardisil vaccine as an opportunity to engage and empower youth through discussing and raising actual awareness about safer sex practices, the government and manufacturers of the vaccine are promoting a bandaid solution that completely ignores the issues and the root of the problem. True awareness about safer sex and the transmission of HPV is not being addressed by the campaign.
With respect to the analogy being made between the Hep B and HPV vaccination programs - one major difference between the programs must be acknowledged. Both males and females are vaccinated for Hep B - while at present, the HPV is only being offered in school vaccination programs to females. This in itself illustrates a huge discrepancy between the two programs and further supports the assertion that their comparison to justify the HPV vaccination program in the policy arena is inappropriate.
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