News Summary

A vaccination that could prevent cervical cancer is sparking debate because some lawmakers want to require girls to be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that sometimes leads to cervical cancer.

Last month, State Rep. Edna Brown, D-Toledo, introduced a bill to require girls going into sixth grade to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus.

Thirty-three states are considering bills to require, fund or educate about the HPV vaccine, but none of these bills have passed. Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed an executive order in February requiring the vaccine, but the legislature responded with a bill to override the order.

There are several objections to the vaccination. The vaccine is expensive, less than a year old and guards girls against sexually transmitted diseases at a very young age — the vaccination could be given to girls as young as 9.

Some people also feel that the decision to vaccinate girls against sexually transmitted disease shouldn't be up to the state, among them Madison Superintendent Chris Cline.

"In the end, I think that's a parent's decision. That's a parental choice issue," he said.

According to the Center for Disease Control, HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection with an estimated 6.2 million people newly infected each year.

The vaccination is recommended for girls ages 11-26 by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Staff writers Laura A. Bischoff and Anthony Gottschlich contributed to this article.