The West Virginia House of Delegates has agreed to fund $100,000 worth of education on the newly approved HPV vaccine, Gardasil, in the 2008 budget. This money—if approved by the senate and the governor—will go to local health departments to ensure the vaccine is available and for education programs in schools.
Genital HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus can cause cervical cancer in women. It can also cause severe genital warts and precancerous lesions.
Earlier in the year, State Delegate Bonnie Brown (D) sponsored a bill that would have provided for mandatory vaccination with the HPV vaccine in West Virginia for all sixth grade girls. This bill never reached the floor but it did generate debate.
“We introduced the bill for shock value,” said Bonnie Brown. “Mandatory vaccination is a bit much for people to swallow at this time.”  Asked why the bill never reached committee discussion, Delegate Brown said, “HPV is sexually transmitted. There is a small but vocal group of people who oppose any medical intervention that is associated with sexual activity for girls under 18 years of age.”
 Gardasil was approved by the FDA in 2006. It is the first vaccine that stops a cancer before it starts. It is 100 percent effective in eliminating about 70 percent of cervical cancer incidents.
 Dr. David Didden, a family physician with Shenandoah Valley Medical is not happy that the HPV vaccine will not be made mandatory. “I think it is tragic that women will in all likelihood end up developing complications of HPV infection in Jefferson County because they will miss out on the opportunity to get this vaccine,” he said. “It is absurd that this vaccine would promote promiscuity. People made the same argument about the Hepatitis B, which is also sexually transmitted. And now the Hep B vaccine is mandatory. I’m hopeful that West Virginia will enact mandatory Gardasil vaccination as soon as possible.”
Hilary Lo, a Shepherdstown mother of two young girls said, “Based on what I know at this moment, I’d be willing to have both of our daughters vaccinated. Because it’s untested on the general population, I do feel relieved that I have a few years to learn more about the vaccine’s efficacy and any possible side effects. The legislation seems designed to protect the health of women and girls. If parents can opt out, I’m fine with it.”
According to the State Department of Education, 10,241 sixth-grade girls are enrolled in West Virginia’s public schools.
West Virginia has the second-highest cervical cancer mortality rate in the United States. It is one of at least 18 states that considered legislation for the vaccine. So far, Texas is the only state to make the vaccine a requirement for adolescent girls. The American Cancer Society estimates that 11,000 American women will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer this year, and nearly 4,800 will die from it.

 It remains to be seen if West Virginia will follow Texas’ lead and  pass the HPV vaccine legislation.