Gardisil was approved in August 2006 as a vaccine to protect against cervical cancer caused by HPV. The virus causes 70% of cervical cancers; therefore, the announcement of a vaccine to prevent this disease was applauded by many. Ten women a year die of cervical cancer, and one in four women in America are exposed to the HPV virus. Men can be carriers of the virus.
However, the religious right saw this vaccine as an approval for pre-marriage sexual activity, and has lobbied heavily against it. Therefore, although 23 states have laws pending a mandated vaccination, only one state has approved it: Virginia. Texas' Governor initially executed an order, but the Legislators, under pressure from the Religious lobbiest, enacted a law to forbid a mandate.
As one source noted, "It is a shame that politics is getting in the way of saving lives".
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