The governor of Texas caused a firestorm when he proposed it. But state senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) says he did the right thing and she will propose required cervical cancer vaccinations for sixth grade girls here in Wisconsin. She says it's all about saving lives.
Taylor says four thousand women die of cervical cancer a year in this country. Ten thousand more are diagnosed with it. To her the question of whether or not to provide a way to prevent that is not why but why not?
Cervical cancer can be caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Critics say the protective vaccination will only promote promiscuous behavior. Others don't want the government telling them how to care for their children.
But Senator Taylor says the government already mandates other vaccinations for school age children. This would be just one more. Besides, she says, even though it would be required, parents could opt their children out as they can now with any vaccination.
Even so, Senator Taylor says she will research the questions and concerns further and hopes to introduce a bi-partisan supported bill in the near future aimed at keeping "the daughters of Wisconsin" cervical cancer free.