New Cervical Cancer Vaccine Available
Community Health Partners is offering the vaccine series to girls 9-18 years of age. The vaccine, Gardasil, protects against four types of virus that cause nearly 70% of cervical cancers. Approximately 9.2 million young adults, 15-24 years of age had the virus in 2000 and approximately 80% of women will have been exposed by age 50.
In June 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer caused by this type of common virus. This vaccine does not replace routine Pap tests as a primary screening test for cervical cancer.
Community Health Partners is offering the vaccine under the Vaccine for Children program. The eligibility criteria for the VFC program includes children covered by Medicaid, children without health insurance and children whose health insurance does not provide coverage for vaccinations. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s health insurance benefit.
Additional information can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/hpv