Mandatory HPV Vaccine for Sixth Grade Girls Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States (Cook 210). There are over 100 types of HPV viruses, and 30 or more of these viruses can be sexually transmitted. (Vamos, McDermott, Daley 303). In the United States, approximately 20 million people are infected with HPV and approximately 6.2 million new cases of HPV are recorded each year (Vamos, McDermott, and Daley 303). Although most cases of HPV are not cancerous, two strains of HPV are known to cause 70% of cervical cancers and the other two strains cause 90% of cases of genital warts (Javitt, Berkowitz, and Gostin 384). Mendenhall, Elisa, and O'Mara stated, “Due to the link to cancer, the strains that pose the greatest medical concern are those that are sexually transmitted” (49). Diagnosing and treating HPV-related diseases is estimated to cost the United States approximately five billion dollars each year (Cook 211). In the fall of 2006, Michigan became the first state to introduce legislation requiring the Gardasil vaccine before students enroll in public schools. school (Mendenhall, Elissa and O'Mara 45). Then, on February 2, 2007, Governor Rick Perry of Texas issued an executive order requiring all middle school-aged girls to be vaccinated against HPV (Javitt, Berkowitz, and Gostin 386). Javitt, Berkowitz, and Gostin stated, “The HPV vaccine is the first to be mandatory for only one gender” (390). Governor Perry felt he had to mandate the vaccine because he firmly believed that this vaccination would be able to protect millions of young women from cervical cancer. "The HPV vaccine is perhaps the first in a long line of cancer vaccines on the horizon, and... at the heart of the paper... 013Cook, Kristin. "Ethical and legal issues accompanying legislation requiring HPV Vaccination in Girls." Health Matrix: Journal Of Law-Medicine 18.1 (2008): 209-228. Academic search completed. Web. 9 November 2013. Vamos, C, Mcdermott, R, & Daley, E 2008, 'The HPV Vaccine: Framing the Arguments FOR and AGAINST Mandatory Vaccination of All Middle School Girls, Journal Of School Health, 78, 6, pp. 302-309, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 10 November 2013. Adams, Heather P. and Erica L. Carnright. "HPV Infection and Cervical Cancer Prevention." Clinician Reviews 23.9 (2013): 42-50 Comprehensive Academic Web: Who Should Make the Decisions?. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics 36.2 (2008): 384. Full text searchable file provided by publisher. Web. 13 November. 2013.