INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana schools are sending parents of sixth-grade girls information about the link between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer — and information about the availability of an HPV vaccine.

The notification letters are the result of a compromise lawmakers made this spring. Some originally wanted to require immunization for most girls, but the Indiana General Assembly settled on the letters after conservative groups said mandated vaccines would intrude on parental rights.

The information sent home to parents explains that HPV is a sexually-transmitted infection that can cause genital warts or cervical cancer. The vaccine protects against four strains of HPV.

The two-page letter was reviewed by about 50 experts, including school nurses and pediatricians, said Dr. Charlene Graves, medical director of immunization programs for the state health department. Graves said the goal was to present easy-to-understand information to parents.

“It is important for families to understand what HPV is about and what vaccination can do, and information in the fact sheet is to acquaint them with that,” Graves said.

Micah Clark, executive director of the American Family Association of Indiana, said he was impressed with the letters, which he said are better than mandated vaccines.

“I think it would give a false sense of security that teens would think they are invincible — and they are not,” Clark said. “We support protecting kids, but we want parents to know this is not a silver bullet. It doesn’t replace abstinence. We support abstinence until marriage, which is the only 100 percent effective thing.”

The vaccine, Gardasil, has mild side effects, contains no mercury and is intended only for females. It is currently being tested for effectiveness on males.

The state Department of Education sent the letters to superintendents and school principals Aug. 3, department spokeswoman Mary Jane Michalak said.

The new law also directs parents to return an anonymous response form indicating whether their daughter will receive the vaccine, will not receive it or that they declined to disclose that information. Completing the form is optional, and schools cannot prevent a student from enrolling, attending or graduating if parents don’t provide the information, Michalak said.

Posted 8/20/2007