Rep. Bakari Sellers is proposing that state health officials offer the HPV vaccine and educational material to seventh graders in South Carolina
/ scstatehouse.gov
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- A South Carolina lawmaker has again introduced a bill under which seventh-grade students could get a free vaccine to prevent a sexually transmitted, cancer-causing virus.
Democratic State Rep. Bakari Sellers of Bamberg appeared Monday to speak in favor of the bill along with former first lady Jenny Sanford and doctors from the Medical University of South Carolina at the Charleston medical school on Monday.
The HPV, or human papilloma (PAP'-uh-loh-mah) is a relatively common virus, but some types can cause cervical cancer.
An identical bill passed both houses of the General Assembly but was vetoed last year by Gov. Nikki Haley. She called it an unfunded mandate and said the issue needs to be discussed by parents, their children and their doctor without involving the government.
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