THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	14
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ASSESS THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF REQUIRING CERVICAL CANCER VACCINATIONS FOR GIRLS BEFORE THEY ENTER THE SEVENTH GRADE.

     WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that in 2007, over 11,000 women in the United States contracted cervical cancer and approximately 4,000 women died from it; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature also finds that in other countries cervical cancer affects approximately 500,000 women each year; and

     WHEREAS, the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes almost all cases of cervical cancer; and

     WHEREAS, though screening for cervical cancer through regular Pap tests and the HPV virus test can reduce cervical cancer deaths, vaccines have proved more effective; and

     WHEREAS, in June 2006, the FDA approved a vaccine shown in clinical research to be one hundred per cent effective at preventing disease from high-risk types of HPV that account for approximately ninety per cent of genital warts and seventy per cent of all cervical cancers and a second vaccine which has been shown to be equally effective is expected to be submitted by early 2007; and

     WHEREAS, to be most effective, the FDA-approved HPV vaccine should be given before a person becomes sexually active and the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that the HPV vaccine be given routinely to females aged 11 to 12 and as early as 9 years, and that women aged 13 to 26 should be vaccinated; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the working group established in 2007 by the Department of Health's Immunization Branch that is currently working with department and community stakeholders to review and update school immunization and examination requirements, is requested to assess the advantages and disadvantages of requiring cervical cancer vaccinations for girls before they enter the seventh grade; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group established by the Department of Health's Immunization Branch submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health and the Governor.

Report Title: 

Study; cervical cancer immunization