|
Washington, DC - Today, the D.C. Council’s Committee of the Whole approved Bill 17-30, the “Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Reporting Act of 2007.” The Bill creates a vaccination program for females entering the 6th grade in the District of Columbia. The bill also permits parents and guardians to opt out of the vaccination program without requiring an explanation.
“I am pleased with the outcome of today’s meeting,” said Catania. He added, “I continue to believe in the importance of being among the first jurisdictions to undertake important public health initiatives. It is no longer acceptable to be the last to act.” The legislation is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that the vaccine be administered to 11 to 12 year olds. If approved, District schoolchildren who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured or underinsured would 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. “This vaccine essentially makes cervical cancer, one of the nastiest cancers, a preventable disease,” said Catania. “As a legislature, we have a responsibility to ensure the cost is not a barrier to what can be a lifesaving vaccine.” Bill 17-030 will have its first reading before the full Council at the next Legislative Meeting, scheduled for April 3, 2007. View the HPV Fact Sheet. |
