Merck (NYSE:
MRK) has decided to stop its campaign for the mandate of HPV vaccine (
Gardasil) use because, (according to Rick Haupt, director of medical affairs for Merck's vaccine division) the focus had
shifted to the campaign rather than to preventing cervical cancer.
Merck made the decision after groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics said there wasn't enough state funding to pay for the $360 vaccine or public acceptance.
Earlier this month, Texas has agreed to the mandate and starting in 2008, girls in Texas state ages 11 and 12 will be required to have the vaccine before entering sixth grade.
Among about 20 considering legislation, Texas is the first state to mandate the HPV vaccine use in young girls.
Read the updated full report at Bloomberg.
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