In the face of growing criticism over its campaign to mandate that young girls receive a new cervical-cancer vaccine, the shot’s manufacturer, Merck & Co., suspended its lobbying effort Tuesday.
The company has been pushing legislation in Colorado and other states to add the vaccine to the list of requirements for public- school attendance.
Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, and House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, have sponsored the Colorado measure, which – like all Colorado vaccine requirements – has a parental opt-out provision.
Last month, The Associated Press reported that Merck was channeling money for its state- mandate campaign through Women in Government, an advocacy group of female state legislators across the country.
On Saturday, The New York Times ran a front-page story about the controversy surrounding the vaccine.
“Our goal is about cervical-cancer prevention, and we want to reach as many females as possible with Gardasil,” Dr. Richard Haupt, Merck’s medical director for vaccines, told AP.
Williams, who is a member of Women in Government, said Tuesday she was unaware of Merck’s decision.
“To me, this was never an issue brought to me by Merck,” she said. “If there is a vaccine out there, then no matter who developed it, I think we need to take this information to save people’s lives.”
She said Merck’s decision may refocus the debate on information and education.
