INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says he had concerns about a bill defeated in the Legislature that aimed to increase vaccination rates among teenagers for the virus blamed for most cervical cancer cases.

Pence said Thursday that some people worried the bill's goal of Indiana reaching an 80 percent rate for HPV vaccinations could've eventually led to a state mandate for the immunization.

Pence says he supports the vaccinations now required in state law and that the state Health Department would continue promoting HPV immunizations. Officials say Indiana has a 23 percent vaccination rate among teens for the sexually transmitted virus.

The House rejected the bill this week in a 51-44 vote.

Bill sponsor Rep. Sue Errington of Muncie blames the vote on a lack of understanding about the vaccine.