Rep. Gingrey Introduces Bill That Would Prohibit Federal Funds From Being Used For State HPV Vaccination Mandates

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 20 Mar 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) on Thursday introduced a bill (HR 1153) that would prohibit federal funds from being used by states to make human papillomavirus vaccination mandatory, the Washington Times reports. The bill would not prohibit states from enacting mandatory vaccinations, but it would inhibit states' ability to use federal Medicaid or education funds to ensure children from low-income families receive the vaccine, the Times reports (Lopes, Washington Times, 3/16). 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. CDC has added Gardasil to its Vaccines for Children Program, which provides no-cost immunizations to children ages nine to 18 covered by Medicaid, Alaska Native and American Indian children, and some uninsured and underinsured children (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/15). According to Gingrey spokesperson Becky Ruby, Gingrey will attempt to attach the bill as an amendment to the 2008 spending bill for HHS. According to the Times, although there is little chance that Congress will approve Gingrey's measure as a "stand-alone" bill, appropriations bills often include multiple proposals that are difficult for lawmakers to notice or block. "I can't think of a single Democrat who will push to move the bill," an unnamed House staffer said, adding, "But putting it in an appropriations bill will make for an interesting floor vote." Lawrence Gostin, director of the Center for Law and the Public's Health at Johns Hopkins and Georgetown universities, said, "If this bill were enacted, it would signal the end of state vaccine mandates (for HPV)." He added, "No state could forgo the considerable federal funds" (Washington Times, 3/16).

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