“We mandate a lot of vaccines for schoolchildren . . . for infectious diseases. This goes an additional step. It is not something we are mandating to stop infections among school kids,” Tim Kaine, a Democrat, told a local radio station. “I think the opt-out provision to protect kids and parents should be generous.”

Earlier this month, the Virginia General Assembly became the first legislative body in the country to mandate that girls receive Merck’s HPV vaccine before they enter high school. Kaine has until March 26 to sign, veto or amend the legislation, which includes a provision that requires parents have info before Gardasil is administered and request their child not receive it.

But Phil Hamilton, a Republican legislator who sponsored the bill, tells The Washington Post, the opt-out provision is about as generous as they come. “Right now, parents are given information, and if they choose not to do it, they don’t have to do it. They just have to sign a form so the health department knows they opted out,” he says. “I just don’t know how much broader you can make it.”

So what should Merck do about this? Sit on its hands for fear of being tarred-and-feathered again? Given the recent ruckus, that might be smart. And what about the governor? He may be pandering, but isn’t offering choices a wise move?

[tags]Gardasil, HPV, Merck[/tags]