LANSING - Jan. 26, 2006 – Two Michigan lawmakers are again trying to introduce legislation to vaccinate girls against the cervical cancer-causing Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

A similar bill died last year after long-term effects of the vaccine, Gardasil, were questioned.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the drug against HPV strains that are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers. 

Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, has introduced a bill that would require parents of children enrolling in the sixth grade in 2008 to submit a signed statement from a physician, stating whether the parent had accepted or denied treatment but received information.

“If we have this vaccination before the sixth grade, there’s a good chance we can start to eradicate cervical cancer with this bill,” Meadows said.  “I think we can do that now that we have a better climate of control.”

Proponents, including legislators and Ingham County health officials, said that the mandated vaccination will prevent the spread of cervical cancer, which killed 118 women in Michigan in 2004. 

Meadow’s bill is accompanied by a proposal sponsored by Rep. Brenda Clack, D-Flint, who said the vaccination is a step toward protecting women and girls of all ages, races and socioeconomic statuses.

“It’s the type of legislation that will help all women, especially those girls who don’t have the financial support, to get this protection,” Clack said.

Some lawmakers, however, say a vaccination against a sexually transmitted disease for girls as young as 9 promotes promiscuity.

For example, John Stahl, R-North Branch, said he’s against the bill because the side effects of Gardasil are unknown and the drug doesn’t protect against all cervical cancers. 

And some girls may believe it’s all right to become more promiscuous, he said.

“Why are we pushing this in the sixth grade to girls who are not sexually active?” Stahl said.

Emotions and politics aside, medical experts say prevention of cancer is most important for girls who will eventually be sexually active.

“The prime factor is that you want to reach these girls before they’ve been exposed to the HPV strain,” said Joy Maloney, supervisor at the immunization clinic of the Ingham County Health Department.  “And that’s before they become sexually active.”

Maloney said girls and women, ages 11 to 26, receive a series of three shots – the second shot given two months after the first, and the third given six months after the first.

Because the vaccine doesn’t prevent all types of cervical cancers, women should get regular Pap smears.

Meadows said the vaccine will be covered by all health plans.  Uninsured women under 19 can receive assistance through the federal Vaccine-for-Children program.

“Cervical cancer is something that can be prevented,” Meadows said.  “This vaccine is a huge stride for our health in the country and the state.”