Michigan would be the first state to require girls to receive a vaccine for the human papillomavirus, HPV, as part of the existing immunization schedule.

   Michigan State Senator Beveryl Hammerstrom, R-Temperance, introduced Tuesday the nation's first legislation to require all girls entering the sixth grade to receive a vaccination that would prevent the virus that causes cervical cancer... 

   ...the vaccine has been shown in clinical trials to be 100 percent effective at preventing disease from the two types of HPV that are responsible for approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers...

   This type of cancer is actually preventable.  This legislation will increase awareness and availability of the vaccine.

   ...Hammerstrom noted that as with all other school-required vaccines, parents may opt out of this requirement for medical, religious or philosophical reasons.