Texans For Kay Launches HPV Countdown Clock
Can Texans Afford Rick Perry In Office When The HPV Moratorium Runs Out?
Austin, TX – Today, Texans for Kay launched a new online clock counting down the time until the Legislature’s moratorium on Rick Perry’s HPV mandate runs out on January 11, 2011. Three years ago today, Rick Perry ordered all sixth-grade girls in Texas to get the HPV vaccine shot. This mandate was driven by lobbyists and Perry allies who would profit from sale of the vaccine. Thankfully, in 2007, Republicans in the Legislature stood up to the governor and stopped the order. But the moratorium runs out in 2011 and at the last debate, Perry stood by his vaccination plans, refusing to back away. The clock is ticking.
In 2007, Rick Perry Mandated That Sixth-Grade Girls Receive The HPV Vaccine:
In February 2007, Rick Perry Issued An Executive Order Requiring Girls Entering The Sixth Grade Be Vaccinated For HPV. “Texas is poised to become the first state in the nation to require 11- and 12-year-old girls to be vaccinated for the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer. Gov. Rick Perry on Friday ordered state health officials to enforce the rule requiring girls entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated for the human papillomavirus, known as HPV. Parents who have religious or conscientious objections may opt out of the requirement, which is scheduled to take effect at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year.” (John Moritz and Jan Jarvis, “Perry orders vaccine program for girls,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2/3/07)
• Perry’s Order That Texas Schoolgirls Be Vaccinated For HPV Made Texas The First State Require Girls To Take The Vaccination. “Bypassing the Legislature altogether, Republican Gov. Rick Perry issued an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.” (Liz Austin Peterson, “Texas Orders Cancer Vaccine For Girls,” The Associated Press, 2/2/07)
While The State Legislature Blocked Perry’s Order, The Moratorium Expires On January 11, 2011 Meaning The HPV Order Can Come Back:
The Texas Legislature Passed Legislation Blocking Perry’s Order And Preventing State Officials From Requiring The Shot For At Least Four Years. “Texas lawmakers officially rejected Gov. Rick Perry's anti-cancer vaccine order Wednesday [April 25, 2007], sending him a bill that blocks state officials from requiring the shots for at least four years.” (Liz Austin Peterson, “Legislature Sends Bill Blocking HPV Order To Governor,” The Associated Press, 4/25/07)
• The Provision In The Legislation That Prevents The Governor From Issuing An Executive Order Mandating The HPV Vaccine Expires On January 11, 2011. “Immunization against human papillomavirus is not required for a person ’s admission to any elementary or secondary school; however, by using existing resources, the Health and Human Services Commission shall provide educational material about the human papillomavirus vaccine that is unbiased, medically and scientifically accurate, and peer reviewed, available to parents or legal guardians at the appropriate time in the immunization schedule by the appropriate school. This subsection preempts any contrary executive order issued by the governor. This subsection expires January 11, 2011.” (H.B. 1098, Text Of Legislation As Enrolled, www.legis.state.tx.us, Accessed 11/7/09)
• Austin American-Statesman: The Legislation Prevented The HPV Vaccine “From Becoming A Requirement For School Entry Until At Least 2011.” “Tuesday was the last day for the governor to sign or veto the HPV bill, which would prevent vaccination against HPV from becoming a requirement for school entry until at least 2011. As he has done neither, the bill goes into law. Perry said he decided not to prolong the debate because the Legislature had enough time and enough votes to override a veto.” (Corrie MacLaggan, ‘Perry Bows To Vaccine Order’s Foes,” Austin American-Statesman, 5/9/07)
