Iowa Governor Signs HPV Vaccine Law

DesMoines Register: Governor signs law requiring some health plans to cover HPV shot, by Tony Leys (4/19):

Gov. Chet Culver signed a bill Friday that will require some health insurers to cover a cervical-cancer vaccine, but Culver said he doubts the state will ever require girls to get the shots.

Proponents say the vaccinations against human papilloma virus could save thousands of lives nationally because they stave off common infections that cause most cases of cervical cancer. But the idea of adding them to the list of required childhood shots has been controversial because the viruses are transmitted sexually.

National medical experts recommend that all girls receive HPV shots at age 11 or 12, before they become sexually active. Critics say the vaccinations could encourage promiscuity, which supporters deny.