Public health clinics in five southwest Utah counties are
not stocking the HPV vaccine because the director of the regional health department thinks the vaccine is controversial and too expensive. The cost argument doesn't hold up:
The three-shot series can retail for $360, but is fully covered by private insurance and provided free of charge to low-income families — and public health clinics — through the federal Vaccines for Children program.
"To be dissuaded by cost issues, or to not stock the vaccine due to low public demand, is disingenuous, especially for someone with responsibilities to protect the public," said [Utah Scientific Immunization Advisory Committee member William] Cosgrove. "I believe the real medical issues here are clouded by a moralistic belief system that precludes any frank discussion about sexuality in adolescents."
And the controversy stems from a poisonous mix of general
anti-scientific anti-vaccination fervor and people freaking out about kids having sex. Just like the same people freak out about teens having access to condoms, because no teen ever had sex without first engaging in a careful risk-benefit analysis. The vaccine has already
slashed HPV rates, which means less cancer in the future. But only if people get vaccinated, which is hard to do if so-called public health officials make it difficult.