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    J Law Med Ethics. 2008 Summer;36(2):384-95, 214.

    Assessing mandatory HPV vaccination: who should call the shots?

    Javitt G, Berkowitz D, Gostin LO.

    Genetics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC, USA.

    In 2007, many legislatures considered, and two enacted, bills mandating HPV vaccination for young girls as a condition of school attendance. Such mandates raise significant legal, ethical, and social concerns. This paper argues that mandating HPV vaccination for minor females is premature since long-term safety and effectiveness of the vaccine has not been established, HPV does not pose imminent and significant risk of harm to others, a sex specific mandate raises constitutional concerns, and a mandate will burden financially existing government health programs and private physicians. Absent careful consideration and public conversation, HPV mandates may undermine coverage rates for other vaccines.

    PMID: 18547207 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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