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University of Houston
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Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor

Money for vaccine could save more lives elsewhere

To the editor:

Every columnist seems to agree with our beloved governor's decision to make the human papillomavirus vaccine mandatory. I agree that the accusation that it would increase sexual activity is silly, but I oppose this measure.

The HPV vaccine costs $360 a shot, not counting the costs of administering it. Texas has 23 million people. Assume 1.5 percent of them are given the vaccine every year ? approximately 400,000 vaccines would have to be purchased every year just for the state of Texas.

Annually, $150 million would have to be spent on this vaccine. If 4,000 women a year die in the United States from cervical cancer, that means about 300 Texas women die annually. If all deaths were prevented (which is unlikely because the vaccine does not protect from all strains of HPV) that would be a cost of almost $500,000 a life.

By focusing this enormous expenditure on our failing crisis center hospitals, we would be able to save thousands of patients a year.

This is ignoring the huge ethical dilemma of forcing a vaccine for a non-communicable disease onto children. Add this to the fact that the persistence is currently unknown ? we may vaccinate every girl just for the vaccine to wear off when they reach adulthood, achieving nothing at all.

Benjamin A. Dickson
chemical engineering junior

Aramark's mishandling of food endangers UH diners

To the editor:

I am not sure that Aramark was the best choice to provide dining services for UH. Last year, I witnessed an employee handle raw chicken, then proceed to handle a bun with the same unwashed hands. People were too preoccupied to notice, which brings me to another night. 

I cut my meatloaf and began to eat when my friend yelled at me to stop. There was a metal piece of twine about one centimeter in length that I hadn't noticed. 

Both issues were brought to the manager's attention, but these are two issues that could have seriously injured someone. I can't imagine what else might go unnoticed. Aramark safe isn't safe bymy standards.

Alexander W. Obregon
psychology junior

Letters to the editor are welcome from all members of the UH community and should focus on issues, not personalities. Letters must be typed and must include the author's name, telephone number and affiliation with the University. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, language and space. Letters may be delivered in person to Room 151C, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu ; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.