The Washington Times reports today about a bill proposing mandatory vaccination for 13 year-old girls for HPV (human papilloma virus), which is transmitted sexually and some varieties of which may cause cervical cancer.
It estimated that nearly 75% of women are carriers of HPV, which is one of the reasons why yearly pap smears are recommended for all sexually active women. Development of cervical cancer requires HPV infection, although most women do not get cancer because their bodies are able to control the growth of the virus.
Americans typically value individual autonomy over societal good, and resistance to mandatory vaccinations is a perfect example. Mandatory vaccination for polio and small pox in school children is widely considered the reason why our society remains immune from these diseases (the so-called herd immunity theory). However, being forced to take a medication strongly irks many in this country who feel that nothing trumps individual freedom of choice.
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