ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

There is now a vaccine for HPV for girls ages 9-26! In June, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gardasil® for the prevention of HPV. This vaccine can help prevent against diseases caused by HPV Types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and HPV Types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts cases. The vaccine is given by 3 injections over 6 months.

Access to Gardasil®

• The vaccine currently costs around $360.
• Some insurance companies have decided to cover the vaccines, while others have not. Most large insurance plans usually cover the costs of recommended vaccines.
• The federal health program Vaccines for Children (VFC) will cover the HPV vaccine.
• Some states also provide free or low-cost vaccines at public health department clinics to people without health insurance coverage for vaccines.
• Several states are working on approving full coverage through state health departments. New Hampshire has already approved full coverage, and California and Michigan have introduced bills to cover the costs.

Resources:

• Information about HPV transmission, treatment, and prevention
• FDA Advisory Panel Unanimously Recommends Cancer Vaccine - Advocates for Youth Press Release
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) site for HPV
• National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center
• Information about Gardasil® – the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer