New Mexico Gov. Richardson To Sign Bill Requiring HPV Vaccination For Sixth-Grade Girls

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 16 Mar 2007 - 6:00 PDT

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New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) will sign legislation (SB 1174) approved by the state Legislature that would require girls entering the sixth grade to receive a human papillomavirus vaccination, his spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said on Monday, the AP/Las Cruces Sun News reports. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Steve Komadina (R), also would allow parents to opt out of having their daughters vaccinated, and girls who are opted out would be allowed to attend school. The legislation, set to take effect June 15, would require the New Mexico Department of Health to distribute literature about HPV and about the vaccine requirement (AP/Las Cruces Sun News, 3/12). Merck's HPV vaccine Gardasil and GlaxoSmithKline's HPV vaccine Cervarix in clinical trials have been shown to be 100% effective in preventing infection with HPV strains 16 and 18, which together cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. FDA in July 2006 approved Gardasil for sale and marketing to girls and women ages nine to 26, and CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices later that month voted unanimously to recommend that girls ages 11 and 12 receive the vaccine. GSK in April plans to file for FDA approval of Cervarix, and it expects approval by the end of this year (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/13). The New Mexico Senate on March 5 voted 30-3 to approve the bill, and the House voted 49-16 to pass it on Sunday. Gallegos said Richardson likely will sign the measure later this week when he receives it from the House. "It's a public health issue, and I believe it's an important step," Richardson said Monday, adding, "New Mexico has always been progressive on these issues. ... We've got to find ways for young women to be protected." If the measure is signed New Mexico would be among the first states to enact legislation requiring HPV vaccination (AP/Las Cruces Sun News, 3/12). Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) on Feb. 2 signed an executive order mandating HPV vaccination for sixth grade girls beginning in September 2008, and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) earlier this month said he will sign a bill (HB 2035) that would require girls beginning Oct. 1, 2008, enrolling in the sixth grade to receive a HPV vaccine (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/2).

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