Rick Perry: ‘I made a mistake’ mandating HPV vaccine

Presidential hopeful Rick Perry on the campaign trail Monday called his decision as Texas governor to mandate a controversial vaccine for a cancer-causing sexually transmitted disease a “mistake.”

“I made a mistake on that,” Perry said on Iowa radio, later calling it “an error in not having a conversation with the people of the state of Texas.”

{mosads}Perry’s decision as governor in 2007 to implement mandatory human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for sixth grade girls took heat from conservatives who faulted Perry for undermining parental authority, implicitly condoning sexual activity and pushing his own agenda. The HPV decision is one of the few failing grades that conservatives have given Perry’s record on social issues.

Since hitting the presidential campaign trail on Saturday, Perry has taken several questions regarding the decision.

Perry issued an executive decision in early 2007 forcing the vaccine mandate into law despite the opposition of the Texas legislature. The legislature overturned the law a few months later.

On Monday, Perry credited the legislature for countering his decision. “I agreed with their decision. I don’t always get it right, but I darn sure listen,” he said.

“One of the things I do pride myself on, I listen. When the electorate says, ‘Hey, that’s not what we want to do,’” Perry told Houston’s ABC affiliate on Monday. “We backed up, took a look at what we did.  I understand I work for the people, not the other way around.”

Perry began to walk back his position over the weekend, starting in New Hampshire. Perry acknowledged the controversial nature of the vaccine, and explained that he allowed his personal hatred for cancer to push him too far. “There was a better way to do that, I realize that now,” he told ABC13.

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease responsible for 70 percent of the cases of cervical cancer in the U.S. The vaccine, which the FDA recommends administered prior to sexual activity, can prevent precancerous cervical cell changes caused by HPV.