"mandatory" makes my skin crawl! When the government steps in and takes away a parent's right to choose what they feel is best for their children, we are heading in the wrong direction. There are some vaccines that are necessary but this one is still too new to know what long term ramifications will be. Thank goodness I don't live in Texas because I would refuse. Which brings up another point--what happens if people refuse to have their daughters vaccinated? Do authorities take the kids away to adminster the vaccine? Do they administer it at school when the parents can't be monitoring what is going on? Several years ago when my oldest kids were in 7th and 8th grade, there was a measles flare up in that age group so they gave measle booster shots during school time. Parents were notified and permission slips were necessary for that incident. A mandatory vaccination would not be handled in a way that parents had any choice.

The other thing you brought up that is bothersome is the fact that only one company is making the vaccine. Not good!

That is horrible to make any vaccination mandatory. Besides, this vaccine has been out only a couple of years. We don't know if there are any side effects such as miscarriages and birth defects like the moms who took DES during the 50's. I have a 15 year old daughter who is not interested in boys yet (thankfully). I would like her to get the vaccine but it is relatively new. If it were out a few years and the girls who received the vaccine had babies with no birth defects (assuming that they are married), then I would be 100% gun-ho about it.

Having worked for pharmaceutical companies for a (relatively) significant portion of my life, I have to question anything, (law, public info, give-back programs, etc.) that they sponsor. When ONLY ONE company is making the 'mandatory vaccine' it's (for lack of a better word) a 'no-brainer'.

Only one company makes it at this time because only one company patented it after being the only one that researched it.

I don't agree with it being a mandatory vaccination but as an oncology nurse I would encourage its use. If it had been available a mere 2 yrs earlier it may have prevented my own daughter's cancer.

My wife and I arranged for our daughter to receive this vaccine. From what I understand, it's safe and effective. Of course, it's possible that more problematic side effects might turn up later, but there's also a major downside in not getting the vaccine--real risk of contracting HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. HPV doesn't only cause this cancer, it also causes genital warts, which are a royal pain, embarrassing, and very difficult to eradicate. Weighing the pros and cons, my wife and I decided that having our daughter get the vaccine was prudent. As for making it mandatory, personally, I think that might be premature. But a few years down the road, if no new side effects turn up, I would have no problem with mandatory vaccination. HPV should be stopped.

The vaccine is not mandatory here, but it is being provided to those who want it...and the government covers the cost of it.

Dear people, how often have these companies put out drugs that they claim were safe, only later to reveal they were not "totally" honest....buyer beware!

I have been in the healthcare field and watched many go down after taking "safe" drugs. These companies make their money, no matter how many people suffer from their "safe" products. Youth suicides are higher because of drugs used to suppress emotional stresses, flue shots that are linked to mental debilitation, mercury in make up as a preservative--now when did that become safe???? and so on...wake up people, these companies have one thing on their mind and it has nothing to do with good health...these shots our children are submitted to have not been thoroughly tested...and long term affects...God only knows. More deformed babies...or worse, no babies. Please become informed, truly, and do nothing unless you are. These meds claim only one thing MAY prevent...

Not having premarital sex can do more for your children then any drug on the market. Teach your children to respect themselves and the true means of prevention...wisdom, respect and discipline.

NO judgment here, just truth. If it were life and death, then I would say take a chance, but you are talking about healthy children being given something that MAY prevent a difficult outcome...not that it is guaranteed. In the days of old, drugs were often given to "heal" symptoms, i.e. mercury,which later proved to cause harm or death. We should be wiser and more capable these days. I am very passionate about these kinds of issues, so please do not take offense. I love children, I know the body is and contains the greatest wisdom to bring health and well being...Doctors I appreciate, but often rely more on the meds then the wisdom of our bodies and what God has given. Please people, open your eyes and your hearts and do not be fooled by what seems good on the surface...dig a little deeper before you hand your children over. God bless you and keep our children safe.