| Q. |
What is the HPV vaccine? |
| A. |
HPV vaccine is a breakthrough in the fight against cancer. Gardasil, the HPV vaccine manufactured by Merck pharmaceutical company, prevents infection by four types of HPV that are responsible for most cervical cancers and genital warts. HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70 percent of all cervical cancers as well as many cancers of the penis, anus and vulva. HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for virtually all genital warts.
|
| Q. |
What are the potential benefits of the HPV vaccine? |
| A. |
The HPV vaccine represents a major breakthrough in the prevention of cervical cancer. Each year cervical cancer is diagnosed in about 10,000 American women, and 4,000 women in the U.S. die each year from the disease. Cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer among women worldwide. Widespread vaccination over many years could result in the virtual elimination of cervical cancer in future generations.
|
| Q. |
How will the vaccine be administered? |
| A. |
The vaccines will require three injections over a six-month period.
|
| Q. |
How much does the vaccine cost? |
| A. |
Planned Parenthood provides the vaccine at a discounted price compared to private providers and can help women get free vaccines through the Merck assistance program. Please call 1-800-230-PLAN for more information and your nearest health center. Private physician charges between $500-900 for the series.
|
| Q. |
What are the side effects of being vaccinated? |
| A. |
The most common side effect is local irritation at the injection site.
|
| Q. |
Will vaccination provide lifetime protection? |
| A. |
The length of vaccine protection (immunity) is usually not known when a vaccine is first introduced. So far, studies have followed women for six years and found that women are still protected. More research is being done to find out how long protection will last, and if a booster vaccine is needed years later.
|
| Q. |
How effective are the vaccines? |
| A. |
Among individuals who have been vaccinated during clinical trials, 100 percent of participants responded with the desired antibody response. Both vaccines were 100 percent effective in preventing the cervical lesions (pre-cancers) associated with HPV 16 and 18.
|
