From the moment I first viewed one of Merck’s Gardasil campaign commercials back in 2005, I have been saving every article pertaining to the vaccine I come across. I agree with you 100% on each and every one of your points and concerns and have no intention of having my 12-year-old daughter vaccinated. However, parents may soon not have a choice in the matter.

The pharmaceutical giant took note of the fact that individuals were forgoing vaccination and that many insurers refused to pay for the vaccine. Unwilling to let huge profits slip from its hands, Merck began lobbying the CDC, FDA, and every state legislator in the union to institute mandatory vaccinations as a prerequisite for school enrollment. Such a measure would obligate states to allocate taxpayer dollars to pay for the cost of vaccinating millions of under-and uninsured children in the country. Imagine the millions of dollars Merck stands to make from state subsidized vaccinations! But the ball does not stop in the U.S. Merck is using its influence (read money) to convince other countries to adopt the mandatory administration of the vaccine.

How shameful, and very scary, that this private entity, with the help and ignorance of greedy lawmakers, should usurp the authority and wisdom of parents who rightfully question the safety of the vaccine.

P.S.–Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself siding with the religious right, but this is one issue we agree on. Never say never.