Governor defends HPV decision

Perry says his move has started healthy national debate about vaccinations.

Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday defended his executive order requiring sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, saying the mandate has sparked an important national debate.

Some 60 Texas lawmakers have asked Perry to rescind the order that would make Texas the first state to require the vaccination. And several legislators have filed bills that would specifically prohibit Texas from requiring the vaccine.

Some critics objected to what they see as the governor overstepping his authority, while others said they have concerns about the vaccine itself.

"The Legislature certainly has the appropriate right, and I certainly support their going forward with any legislation dealing with this," Perry said. "But the result of this executive order, I think, was to create . . . a very healthy debate, discussion of our daughters' and our wives' and our friends', our loved ones' lives. And that's what this really is about. I don't ever get confused that this is about life."

Answering reporters' questions about the HPV vaccine for the first time since his Feb. 2 executive order, Perry said he is confident about the safety of the vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer.

"When (the Food and Drug Administration) and (Centers for Disease Control) come out and say that the vaccine is safe, then I'm satisfied," Perry said. "I stand by the science here."

Not all insurers cover the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, which the FDA approved in June.

When asked whether the state should mandate that private insurers cover the vaccine's cost, Perry said, "My instinct is no."

Perry spokeswoman Krista Moody said 95 percent of the nation's heath insurance companies cover the vaccine, including the five largest providers in Texas.

State Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, have proposed that girls be required to get the vaccine beginning in September, a full year ahead of when Perry's executive order takes effect.

cmaclaggan@statesman.com; 445-3548