On HPV Issue, D.C., Virginia Lead Way

Despite their different political leanings, Virginia and the District of Columbia are in step concerning human papillomavirus vaccine: The neighboring states are the only locales in the nation to mandate HPV immunization for sixth-grade girls.

Supporters of the vaccine, which protects against the STD linked to most cases of cervical cancer, do not fit the traditional liberal-conservative stereotypes. There is the self-described social liberal Anneli Barnes of Alexandria, who “opted against the HPV vaccine” for her 13-year-old daughter. Barnes is concerned about the rare adverse events she has read about online. “When it’s your kid, even a small number, it strikes home a little bit,” she said.

Del. Christopher P. Stolle (R-Virginia Beach) is an obstetrician-gynecologist and social conservative who strongly supports the HPV mandate. “The number-one function of government is to protect its citizens. ... That absolutely falls within the role of a limited, conservative government,” he said.

The politics of HPV are “multidimensional,” said Lawrence Gostin, a global health law expert and director of Georgetown University’s law school. “The first dimension is sex and parental responsibility, which is a core conservative, religious view. The second dimension is the health and life of young girls, which really is a pro-life view. And the third dimension is the corporate intrusion, and on the corporate intrusion, the left is likely to be upset about it.”

The District and Virginia both have opt-out policies that allow parents to decline the vaccine for any reason.

There is broad agreement among medical professionals that the HPV vaccine is a safe way to protect females from cervical cancer, which kills 4,000 US women annually. Federal health officials say more than 35 million Americans have undergone HPV vaccination with no pattern of serious side effects.

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