By James Spounias
Few people had heard of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines prior to Texas Governor James Richard “Rick” Perry’s failed bid for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
What America learned is that Perry bypassed the legislature and on February 2, 2007 issued an executive order making Texas the first state in the country to force sixth-grade girls to receive the three-shot vaccination series, which cost about $120 per shot, known as Gardasil.
As a presidential candidate, Perry said he was wrong to issue the executive order but still insisted the vaccine saved lives.
Now, new information suggests Gardasil and other HPV vaccines do not protect girls against cervical cancer and have serious, potentially permanent and horrific side effects.