Legislature passes HPV bill

INDIANAPOLIS – Under a bill now headed to the governor, schools would give parents information about the link between human papilloma virus and cervical cancer – and information about the availability of an HPV vaccine.\nThe Senate agreed Monday with changes the House made to the bill, sending the legislation to Gov. Mitch Daniels for consideration.\nThe HPV vaccine has become a controversial issue in several states that considered requiring sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against HPV. Some opponents say requiring the vaccine promotes promiscuity and erodes parents’ rights.\nBut Indiana’s bill would simply send home information about the HPV vaccine and does not require girls to become vaccinated.\nGardasil, made by Merck & Co. and approved by the federal government in June, protects girls and women against strains of HPV that are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. A government advisory panel has recommended that all girls get the shots at 11 and 12, before they are likely to be sexually active. The three-dose regimen typically costs about $360.