Washington, D.C. - Today, by a vote of 7-3-1, the D.C. Council gave final approval to Bill 17-030, the “Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Reporting Act of 2007.” The Bill creates a vaccination program for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer, for females entering the 6th grade in the District of Columbia. It also contains language that will allow parents and guardians to opt out of the vaccination program without requiring an explanation.

An amendment authored by Councilmembers David Catania (At-Large) and Mary Cheh (Ward 3) will delay the program’s start date until the 2009-10 school year. The same amendment requires the Department of Health to conduct an extensive education initiative beginning in 2008 to raise awareness of HPV and the continued need for Pap Tests.

“Vaccinating against HPV will save lives - period,” said Catania. “And while I encourage all District parents to have their child vaccinated, the legislation passed today is very sensitive to the wishes of parents who choose to opt out.”

Bill 17-030 is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that the vaccine be administered to 11 to 12 year olds. District schoolchildren who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured or underinsured will be eligible to receive the vaccine free-of-charge.

Each year, an estimated 6 million people in the United States contract the Human Papillomavirus. Of these 6 million, 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 3,900 women die each year from the disease. The District of Columbia has the highest rate of cervical cancer in the United States and nearly 92 percent of invasive cervical cancer diagnoses occur among minority women.

Mayor Adrian Fenty, who previously endorsed the legislation, is expected to sign the bill into law.