HPV Vaccine

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NOW! A NEW VACCINE FOR HPV, TO HELP PREVENT GENITAL WARTS AND CERVICAL CANCER!

What is HPV?

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in U.S. There are about 100 types of HPV. Most infections don't cause any symptoms and go away on their own. HPV is important mainly because it can cause cervical cancer in women and several less common types of cancer in both men and women. It can also cause genital warts and warts of the upper respiratory tract. There is no treatment for HPV, but the conditions it causes can be treated.

How likely am I to get HPV?

More than 50% of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Every year in the U.S., about 10,000 women get cervical cancer and 3,700 die from it. It is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world.

Why should I get the new vaccine?

HPV vaccine is an inactivated vaccine which protects against 4 major types of HPV. This includes 2 types that cause about 70% of cervical cancer and 2 types that cause about 90% of genital warts. Protection is expected to be long-lasting, though pap smears are still recommended since there are some types of cervical cancer which the vaccine does not cover.

What are the present recommendations for the vaccine?

HPV vaccine is routinely recommended for girls 11-12 years. Doctors may give it to girls as young as 9 years. The reason the vaccine is given so early is to protect them before their first sexual contact (exposure to HPV).

The vaccine is also recommended for girls and women 13-26 years of age who did not receive it when they were younger. It may be given with any other vaccines needed.

It is given as a 3-dose series:

1^st dose: now or any date of your choice

2^nd dose: 2 months after the first dose

3^rd dose: 6 months after the first dose

What else should I know?

The vaccine is quite costly, at least at present. Expect each shot to cost around $150.00. It is not covered by Student Health Insurance yet but is likely to be covered by most other insurance companies. You will probably want to check your insurance policy.

People who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast, are pregnant, or have a moderate to severe illness should not receive the vaccine.

Side effects are mostly mild, including itching, pain, redness at the site and a mild to moderate fever in a minority of recipients.

Student Health is offering this vaccine. See a practitioner or the nurse advisor for an order, then proceed to Riviera Clinic to receive the injection

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