SPRINGFIELD - Proposed state legislation may require sixth-grade girls in Illinois to get a vaccine to protect against cervical cancer, but the measure wouldn't take effect for four years.

State Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-Crete, who is pitching the idea, says the lag time should give enough time for concerns about the vaccine to blow over.

In the meantime, an education campaign could inform women about how the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus can cause cervical cancer.

"We want to make sure everyone understands that link," she said.

Studies show that a vaccine, Gardasil, could prevent two-thirds of cervical cancer cases by blocking some strains of HPV.

A Senate committee voted 6-4 Wednesday to mandate the vaccine with one Democrat joining three Republicans in voting "no." The idea can now be debated by the full Senate, where it might find more detractors.

Some supporting Democrats worried Wednesday that while parents could decide against their daughters getting the shot, doctors wouldn't legally have to tell them that option exists.

And state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said it was too early to make Gardasil a requirement.

He used Vioxx, a painkiller that was pulled from the shelves after FDA approval because it caused heart problems, as an example. Drug giant Merck produced both Gardasil and Vioxx.

Others don't like the idea of required vaccination because HPV is sexually transmitted and can't be spread like other diseases children must be vaccinated against, such as measles.

State Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, said she doesn't want the vaccine forced, even though she'd take her daughters to get the shot once they're older.

"I resent the mandate," she said.

The legislation is Senate Bill 10.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.