FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
January 27, 2012 vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com
VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON HPV VACCINE BILL
Repeal
Of Vaccination Mandate Is "A Terrible Idea" And
"Indefensible"
Richmond - This morning, the Virginia
House of Delegates voted to give final approval to HB 1112, a bill that would
repeal Virginia's requirement that girls receive the human papillomavirus (HPV)
vaccine. HB 1112 is patroned by Del. Kathy Byron
(R-Campbell), Del. Timothy Hugo (R-Fairfax), Del. Mark Cole (R-Stafford), Del. Anne
Crockett-Stark (R-Wythe), Del. Gordon Helsel (R-Poquoson), Del. Keith Hodges
(R-Gloucester), Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William), and Del. Richard Morris
(R-Isle of Wight).
The Progressive Caucus strongly
opposes this bill.
Delegate Jeion Ward (D-Hampton)
said, "This is a bad bill for many reasons. If requirements are repealed,
there will be hundreds of poor little girls denied the ability or the funds to
receive the vaccine, thus further exasperating health care disparities. As one
of the original co-patrons of the HPV notification law, its potential repeal is
a terrible idea."
Delegate Joe Morrissey (D-Henrico)
said, "HPV infects over 10,800 women each year. Additionally, over 4,000
women die of cervical cancer each year. The HPV vaccination is supported
overwhelmingly by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of
Family Physicians, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
It is indefensible that the Republican Party would put the lives and health of
many women at risk by voting for the elimination of this law."
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