Governor Kaine says he will sign HPV vaccine bill
NORFOLK - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday he will sign legislation requiring all sixth-grade girls to get vaccinated against a virus that could lead to cervical cancer.
Days after saying he had qualms about making the vaccine mandatory, Kaine predicted that the law is "going to be a model for other states to follow " and emphasized that it will be easy for parents to opt out.
The vaccine protects against some forms of the human papillomavirus that have been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer.
But because the virus is spread through sexual contact, some critics have said getting the vaccination would encourage teens to have sexual activity. Others have said the vaccine, commercially known as Gardasil and developed by the Merck pharmaceuticals company, is still too new to know the health consequences of widespread use.
The bill, approved last month by the General Assembly, would make the vaccine mandatory - much as measles and tetanus vaccines are now. But it allows parents to opt out of the requirement for any reason, as long as they've read information about the vaccine, the virus and its link to cancer.
Merle and Haddie read the brochure and they don't want little Nelly having sex, so they're having her 'opt out'.
The Governor and the General Assembly don't get it. Merle and Haddie aren't sure.
