Va. House votes to eliminate vaccine mandate

The Virginia House of Delegates gave final approval Friday to a bill that would eliminate a state requirement that sixth grade girls be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

The state’s current mandate for the vaccine, meant to prevent cervical cancer, does allow families to opt-out of the vaccination program if they object, but the bill’s sponsor, Del. Kathy Byron, R-Lynchburg, has argued that the government should not be involved in the decision at all. Opponents of the bill argue that the vaccines help save lives.