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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 19, 2007 - 31 Is HPV vaccination a sign of the times? By Michelle Joseph GRADE 11, IROQUOIS RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL B y now we have all seen the commercials for it, many shots of women informing viewers about the new Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). When I first saw the commercial, I thought nothing more about it, dismissing it as a smart thing to do. Because, well, the women featured in the commercial were all at least 20 years old. They shouldn't be taking any risks, of course, and as the vaccine protects against cervical cancer, I thought it was a sensible course of action for women who were sexually active. Then I learned about whom the vaccination was intended for: Grade 8 girls. I almost didn't believe it, the first time I heard that the presence of the vaccination program was to be mandatory at our public schools. I mean, quite frankly, who would think that 13 and 14-year-olds would be doing things of the nature that made a vaccine for a sexually-transmitted virus applicable to them? However, over the last few days, I truly began to think about it, and not from a personal point of view, because I knew that if I did so, I would simply continue to scoff at the idea. Personally, if the vaccine had been offered to me in Grade 8, I would have laughed and asked: "Are you kidding?" HOME IMPROVEMENTS Products and Services from the Company You Trust® However, I admit there seems to be a need to consider the whole of the picture, without extrapolating the rest of it from my own opinions. So I really looked at this new idea, considering also the government commitment that the vaccine is a cancer protection initiative. Then I learned that the whole reason behind targeting such young girls is, in fact, that they haven't yet started to engage in sexual activity. The vaccine is actually most effective when administered before girls might actually need the protection. My presumption about the whole purpose of the program had been wrong, and from this realization came the understanding that it would not be completely unbelievable that the government should think to administer such a vaccine to them. Thus, the whole controversy, between what reality demands of us, as a society, and of what morality demands of us, now seems diminished in my eyes. Certainly, on a personal level, I still feel that even in Grade 10, young girls should be reading, studying, seeing movies with friends, and still remain inexperienced in sexual matters. I do still want to believe that these young girls would have no need of the vaccine, until at least they reach Grade 10. However, when considering the reality of the situation, I admit that the program is in fact sensible, and perfectly attuned to our society. I simply hope that most girls will remain unmoved, in case this does send out the wrong message. This way, the young girls who decide they do need the vaccine will receive effective protection, and those who couldn't care less about these issues will not even give it a second thought. expert installation CORRECTION NOTICE The Panasonic Canada microwave oven flyer in this newspaper the week of October 8 indicated prices of the advertised ovens but omitted to mention that such prices were only suggested resale prices, and that resellers might sell the products at lower prices. Not all models are available at all locations. BERTIN STABLES Fall and Winter Lessons and Christmas Camps Now Booking · Weekday Lessons 4/$107 or $35/Lesson · Saturday at Farm 10am-3pm $40 (Children 5-12 yrs.) 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This transaction will post to your account following the completion of installation ("Posting Date"). The first installment will appear on your first account statement produced after the Posting Date and will be due on the date set out in that statement. Subsequent installments will be due on the dates set out in subsequent statements. On approved credit, only with your Sears Card or Sears MasterCard. Minimum $200 purchase. $70 installment billing fee and all applicable taxes and charges are payable at time of purchase. When billed, any unpaid portion of your Sears Card or Sears MasterCard account balance will attract credit charges, commencing on the billing date for such unpaid portion. Excludes Home Services. Ask for details. Payment options and plan details may be changed or discontinued at any time without notice. Ask about other payment options. Unless otherwise stated, optional financing programs do not qualify for Sears ClubTM Points or Colours® Points. *Purchases made on the Sears Card will receive Sears Club Points and purchases made on the Sears MasterCard will receive Colours Points when finance option is not chosen. Sears Club Points do not apply to taxes, installation charges (where applicable) or protection agreement charges For Employment Opportunities at Offers start Fri., Oct. 19 and end Fri., Nov. 2, 2007 Sears will arrange installation by qualified contractors. Offers do not apply to previously signed contracts. Not valid in conjunction with any other discount or promotion. Not available in all markets. Please See Our Ad in Today's Classified Section Where colour lives! 1-800-590-8676 Call now, toll free, for a no-obligation in-home estimate. Sears HomeCentral® just call: NE103H107 © 2007. Sears Canada Inc.