Question: Does Nikki support mandatory HPV vaccines for middle-school girls?

Truth:  Two quotes of note:

Nikki Haley: “I was a co-sponsor of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Act.  However, through the legislative process, it became clear to me that an opt-out provision was not going to be included in the bill and it sought to mandate that middle-school girls obtain a vaccine – and strip parents of the right to make the choice for their daughter.  In light of that turn of events, I voted to kill the bill.

I am the mother of an 11-year old daughter, and I believe that the best decisions for her are made by my husband and me.  I believe the same is true for every child in this state.  It is that belief that led me to vote to kill this bill – and it is the same reason I will oppose any government mandates on vaccines, whether they be for HPV, H1N1, or any other.”

Sheri Few, President, SC Parents Involved in Education:  “I was the lead opponent of this bill, actively fighting it at the State House, and I’ve also known Nikki Haley for some time.  She has always fought to keep government out of the lives of private citizens, and that’s why, when she recognized the fact that she had been misled by those pushing the bill, she voted to kill it.  Nikki was not the only one misled – more than a third of Republicans in the House cosponsored the bill.  When the facts came to light, even the primary sponsor moved to kill her own bill and it was defeated – an action that included Representative Haley’s vote against it.”