House Republican Press Release

January 31, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. HOVEY LEGISLATION WOULD PROMOTE CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE, AWARENESS OF DISEASE

State Representative DebraLee Hovey  (R-Monroe, Newtown) has introduced legislation that would promote the vaccine against the virus that causes cervical cancer.  House Bill 6085, An Act Concerning An Appropriation For Increasing Awareness About Human Papilloma Virus And Cervical Cancer, has been introduced to the Legislature’s Public Health Committee.

The bill would add the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to the standard adolescent vaccination schedule, appropriate funds to study prevention strategies and treatment for cervical cancer and create an outreach campaign to provide information to the public about HPV vaccination.

The legislation would add the HPV vaccine to the state’s adolescent vaccination schedule, which currently includes vaccines against Hepatitis B and Meningitis. It would also provide for the standard exemptions, such as those for religious beliefs, said Rep. Hovey.

 “Vaccinating one’s daughter against HPV would prevent a disease that is completely disabling and life altering,” said Rep. Hovey. “We have the ability to make major strides toward eradicating a cancer that ruins the life of women and families.”

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second leading cancer-killer of women, with almost a quarter-million deaths each year.  According a report issued January 16 by the national Women In Government organization, Connecticut remains in the top-performing tier states in terms of cervical cancer incidence, mortality and screening rates.