Debate over mandatory HPV vaccination

The Washington Post on Sunday examined the "widespread backlash" toward proposals to mandate human papillomavirus vaccination for school attendance after dozens of states "enthusiastic[ally] embraced" HPV vaccines.

According to the Post, health experts are "dismayed" but "hardly surprised" by the controversy over mandatory HPV vaccines (Levine, Washington Post, 3/4). Virginia Gov.

Tim Kaine (D) last week said he will sign a bill (HB 2035) that would require girls beginning Oct. 1, 2008, enrolling in the sixth grade to receive an HPV vaccine.

Gov. Rick Perry (R) on Feb. 2 signed an executive order mandating HPV vaccination for sixth grade girls beginning in September 2008 (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/2).

According to the Post, the backlash against mandatory HPV vaccinations is attributed in part to the age of children the proposals would target, the view that it could encourage sexual promiscuity among adolescents, the diminished authority of parents and guardians over their daughters' health care, and the cost of the vaccine.

"The message that we send to parents is exceedingly important," Gary Freed, a professor at the University of Michigan and chair of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, said, adding, "Are we going to be creating a culture of vaccine refusal that's not going to serve us well?"

Barbara Loe Fisher -- president of the National Vaccine Information Center, a not-for-profit consumer organization opposed to HPV legislation -- asked, "Why is this happening so fast? Why is there a mandate when this is such a different kind of disease?"

Mary Cheh -- a Washington, D.C., City Council member and co-sponsor of legislation that would mandate HPV vaccination in the district -- said, "I really hope people don't lose sight of that fact that this is the first time we've ever had a vaccine against a cancer," adding, "You seize and take advantage of it."

Jon Abramson, chair of CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, said it is "unclear" if states have enough money to pay for HPV vaccinations, adding that he would be "very concerned" about children being unable to attend school because their parents could not afford the vaccine.

"Politics are not a good driver of health care recommendations," Abramson said, adding, "Time will help us decide what's the best policy" (Washington Post, 3/4).