Perry, a conservative Christian who opposes abortion and stem-cell research using embryonic cells, counts on the religious right for his political base. But he has said the cervical cancer vaccine is no different from the one that protects children against polio.
“The HPV vaccine provides us with an incredible opportunity to effectively target and prevent cervical cancer,” Perry said in announcing the order.
“If there are diseases in our society that are going to cost us large amounts of money, it just makes good economic sense, not to mention the health and well-being of these individuals to have those vaccines available,” he said.
Of course, let’s not look a gift horse too closely in the mouth. As the story notes, vaccine maker Merck is one of Perry’s biggest campaign donors and he has multiple ties to the company.
Also, Texas law allows parents to opt out of state-mandated vaccinations on religious grounds.
Nonetheless, this is a start; if Texas is doing it, other more conservative states will be hard-pressed to fight it.
