A few weeks ago, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously endorsed the use of the HPV vaccine Gardasil.
It's currently recommended for:
- all girls ages 11 and 12 (although it can be given as early as 9 years).
- all girls/women ages 13-26 who have not had the vaccine.
- women with abnormal pap smears, genital warts, or certain other conditions.
Bottom line: If you're in any of those recommended groups, urge your health care plan to include it in their coverage. Out of pocket, it's currently $125 per dose, three doses total, but the four types of HPV it protects against are often responsible for non-hereditary forms of cervical cancer.
(Read more at
healthychildren: "Cervical cancer vaccine follow-up: The good and the good".)
It's currently recommended for:
- all girls ages 11 and 12 (although it can be given as early as 9 years).
- all girls/women ages 13-26 who have not had the vaccine.
- women with abnormal pap smears, genital warts, or certain other conditions.
Bottom line: If you're in any of those recommended groups, urge your health care plan to include it in their coverage. Out of pocket, it's currently $125 per dose, three doses total, but the four types of HPV it protects against are often responsible for non-hereditary forms of cervical cancer.
(Read more at
healthychildren: "Cervical cancer vaccine follow-up: The good and the good".)
Profile
oddharmonic- Melissa, starry-eyed soy-lovin' Expatriated Zulu
Comments
Glad they're making a vaccine.
interestingly, though, i know that merck is running trials on gay men to test the vaccine. so they're not only looking at cervical cancer but also anogenital cancer and warts.
As somebody who got cervical cancer from HPV, which turned into uterine cancer and ended up losing an ovary, I have a keen interest in Gardasil preventing anybody else from going through what I have.
So, WTF?
I also share the fear that others have mentioned--the unknown in years to come.
I have a son with permanent brain damage due to a measles booster vaccine. And, even if you have the reserve and patience to sue the national government/pharm. companies, many states outlaw it. Mine is one.