Should the HPV vaccine be mandatory?

Evidently, Merck, the manufacturer of the vaccine thinks so. They have invested heavily in lobbying the state legislatures to make vaccinations against HPV, a sexually transmitted disease, mandatory for 12 year old girls. How much does Merck stand to gain?

Drug-industry analyst Steve Brozak of W.B.B. Securities has projected Gardasil sales of at least $1 billion per year — and billions more if states start requiring the vaccine. "I could not think of a bigger boost," he said.