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PRESS RELEASE
(2/6/2007)
Christian Medical Association Outlines Principles for HPV Vaccination Several states are implementing immunization programs As states consider mandatory vaccination policies for pre-teen girls with the newly developed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Dr. David Stevens, CEO of the 16,000-member Christian Medical Association, today outlined principles that should guide those policies. Dr. Stevens said, "It's important that children learn that abstinence and fidelity are always the best defense against sexually transmitted disease. The fact is that with HPV, young women through no choice of their own can still be exposed through an infected partner to disease and cancer. The HPV vaccine will provide an important measure of protection. "States need to uphold the rights of parents in guiding the healthcare of their own children," Dr. Stevens added. "This means that any HPV vaccine mandate should allow parents an easy means to opt out of the vaccine for their child. CMA Executive Vice President Dr. Gene Rudd noted, "States vaccination mandates tied to school attendance can enable government policies and programs that help ensure that the largest number of individuals will have access to the vaccine. If a mandatory vaccine policy can provide such access along with the option for parents to decline vaccination, then that is a real choice."
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