Will Rick Perry's HPV hullabaloo increase vaccinations?

WILSON FAMILY PHOTO

When Michelle Bachmann attacked Rick Perry in a debate earlier this month for signing an executive order that mandated girls in Texas get the HPV vaccine, Craig Wilson's phone began ringing off the hook.

Wilson, a Houston businessman, was close friends with Heather Burcham, the woman who struck up a friendship with Governor Perry after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is a sexually-transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer in women, and Burcham believed Perry's executive order would save girls from suffering like she had.

Burcham passed away in 2007. That same year, the Texas legislature overturned Perry's executive order before it was implemented. But with Perry leading in the polls for the Republican presidential nomination, the controversial issue - and Burcham's story - are once again front and center.

In last week's debate, Perry said Burcham contributed to his decision to support mandatory vaccines.

"I got lobbied by a 31-year-old young lady who had Stage 4 cervical cancer," Perry said. "I spent a lot of time with her. She came by my office, talked to me about this program."

In fact, Perry met Burcham after he had already issued his executive order. But their friendship lasted until she passed away and Wilson says Burcham deeply impacted the governor.

"She was a girl who lived the life he was trying to prevent," Wilson said.

Wilson said Perry helped Burcham cross some goals off of her "bucket list," such as hunting and riding a motorcycle. Perry also visited Burcham at the hospice center where she spent the last weeks of her life.

In recent weeks, Wilson has recounted these details in numerous television and print interviews. A Republican who supports Perry's bid for president, Wilson said he has not been contacted by the governor's campaign. Instead, he said his family's motivation for speaking to the press is personal.

"I know [Heather] is in heaven and I know she is happy this is coming out again," Wilson said. "If all this garbage lets some family know about [the vaccine], it is all worth it."

WILSON FAMILY PHOTO

Wilson and his wife, Lisa, have four daughters. They first met Burcham when they hired her as a babysitter. Two of their daughters have already been given the HPV vaccine, and he said he plans to vaccinate the other two when the time comes.

The Centers for Disease Control says HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted virus in the United States. The CDC estimates 50 percent of sexually-active people will contract HPV in their lifetimes. Merck, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the HPV vaccine, says the drug protects against the two types of HPV that cause 75 percent of cervical cancers cases.

[pvgv]

The HPV vaccine contains an additive called free glutamate, which is a neurotoxin shown in peer reviewed research to cause brain lesions when injected into laboratory animals. Neurotoxic free glutamate is most concerning in vaccines for very young children; however, given the reports of serious adverse neurological reactions following the HPV vaccine, its use seems concerning in adolescents as well. Free glutamate is also suspected to play a role in the autism epidemic (www.autismrecoveryprogram.com).

[stn_sage]

My access is blocked to these FIVE (5)...listed as existing...comments!
What's the matter?! Are they ALL that BAD?!
But, he must have powerful connections that he can
control what CBS does in its' day-to-day operations!
Awesome!

[baileyccc]

Vaccines are the "snake oil" of western medicine. Anyone that remembers the swine flu from the 70's know that the vaccine did more harm than the swine flu ever did. Don't fill your blood supply with these synthetic poisons.

[kansas1946]

There is a big difference between the flu and cancer. Just like there is a big difference between the flu and diptheria. I think if people could just read one old medical book about the way a child dies with diptheria, or small pox, or polio, then they would remember why some of these vaccines are a Godsend. Although I strongly favor this vaccine, I think it was a big mistake to mandate it when it was so new. Anyone who cares anything about their daughters will make sure they get this vaccine at the proper time and eventually it will be required for secondary school admission.

[stn_sage]

To: baileyccc. I agree with you! The pharmaceutical industry makes money off P-R-O-B-L-E-M-S, not CURES!
If there was an ointment or liquid that cured cancer do you think they'd want to make it?! Absolutely not!
Because it would wipe out all the unproductive products they make now to fight that disease, and, there are many of them, and they make billions of dollars off these drugs!
Plus, in many of these drugs there are additives that make people
even sicker, not better! Which keeps the negative cycle going!!
Plus, the industry is behind efforts to outlaw vitamins and minerals for public consumption...they get people better and
keep them healthy! So, they want to do away with them! No kidding!
So take drugs and prescriptions at your own risk! In my opinion,
the industry is more concerned about how much money they can make, and not concerned about YOUR HEALTH! You better be!

[stn_sage]

Personally, this is ANOTHER good reason NOT to vote for Perry!
I do NOT favor politicians who try to make MY MEDICAL DECISIONS
FOR ME by mandating law!!
I don't try to make their medical decisions for them! I expect
them to extend the same courtesy to me!
Those that don't, don't deserve to even be considered for office,
in my opinion!