Last updated:  February 8, 2007

Delegate Orphy Klempa (D) from Ohio County just introduced a bill (HB 2941) to allow religious exemptions from mandatory vaccinations.  

Please write Delegate Klempa to thank and support him for 2941, and ask him to please add language for philosophical exemptions as well.  Please write your legislators to support HB 2941, with a request to amend the bill to add philosophical exemptions.  Philosophical exemptions are important because non-religious citizens sometimes object to the same issues (such as abortion), and they have the same right to act on their conscience.

Last updated:  February 8, 2007

West Virginia has introduced a bill (HB 2835) to make the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine mandatory for all girls entering the sixth grade (mostly 12 year olds) for the first time, before being allowed to attend either public or private school.  Because WV has no exemptions from mandatory vaccinations, anyone declining to accept the HPV vaccine will be forced to homeschool.  Our state and MS are the only states in the country that will be mandating this new vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease with no ability to opt out.  (Read more on what is wrong with forcing the HPV vaccine.)

Out of over 100 types of HPV, about 15 (or less) are believed to be associated with cervical cancer.   The HPV vaccine, Gardasil, is reported to protect against four types of HPV:  two are associated with 70% of cervical cancer and its precancerous conditions, and two are associated with 90% of genital warts.   The vaccine is not effective against the vast majority of HPV types.

More than 30 types of HPV is believed to be transmitted through sexual contact.   The vaccine is largely targeted toward girls and women who are old enough to be sexually active.  The vaccine is not recommended for boys and men.

At least 82 reports of adverse events following vaccination with Gardasil have been filed in the six months following the vaccine's approval.  Adverse events include fainting , seizures, joint pain, Guillian-Barre Syndrome (immune system attack on peripheral nerves that can result in temporary paralysis), and other immunological reactions.

Three doses of Gardasil can cost upwards of $360.  Recently, it was revealed that Merck, Gardasil's manufacturer, is quietly funding efforts to make their product mandatory.  Specifically, it funds Women in Government, which in turn, has member legislators who introduce HPV vaccine mandates in their states.  Delegate Bonnie Brown, WV's state director in Women in Government, is the primary author of HB 2835.

West Virginians for Vaccination Exemption oppose HB 2835 in its entirety.  We oppose withholding education to prevent a sexually transmitted disease for which there is no public health threat in the school environment.  We oppose any attempt to usurp the authority and right of parents to make private medical choices for their children. 

Here is you can do to oppose HB 2835.