Health Dept. doesn't favor cancer vaccine requirement

Even though it stopped short of mandating the vaccination, "we strongly encourage young women to get the vaccine," said Kristen Ehresmann of the Health Department.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: February 1, 2008 - 1:11 PM

School-age girls won't be required to get vaccinated for a virus that causes cervical cancer in order to meet state school immunization laws if the Legislature approves a recommendation from the Minnesota Department of Health.

The department will deliver a report to the Legislature today saying that the best approach to preventing the human papilloma virus (HPV) is through continued cancer screenings and education.

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration licensed an HPV vaccine for girls and women ages 9 to 26 and a second vaccine for women ages 10 to 55 is pending, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

In 2007, the Minnesota State Legislature directed the Commissioner of Health to prepare a report on whether the HPV vaccine should be required for school enrollment of junior high-age girls.

In its report, the Health Department said that a mandate for the vaccination is not prudent at this time because manufacturers need more time to make the adequate amounts of the vaccine, there are not enough funds available for everybody who needs the vaccine, and more time is needed to educate the public about the vaccine and its limitations.

The Health Department's report says health care providers should continue to educate the public about the causes of cervical cancer and how to prevent it, continue to stress the importance of Pap tests for early detection of the cancer, and educate adolescents and preadolescents and their parents so they can make informed decisions about the vaccination.

Even though it stopped short of mandating the vaccination, "we strongly encourage young women to get the vaccine," said Kristen Ehresmann, section chief for immunizations at the Health Department.

In most cases, health insurers cover the cost of HPV vaccinations, although some require a co-payment, she said.

Clinical trials show that the HPV vaccine is effective in protecting females against infection against the two most-common forms of the HPV virus that lead to 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. The Health Department said the vaccine is most effective if it is received before a woman becomes sexually active.

About 20 million Americans are currently infected with the HPV virus and annually about 6.2 million people ages 14 to 44 are infected with the disease. In Minnesota, about 175 women are diagnosed with the disease annually and 45 women die, the Health Department said.