HPV Vaccine (Gardasil & Cervarix)
HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Most HPV infections don't cause any symptoms and go away on their own. However, the virus can cause genital warts, abnormal Pap test results, and cervical cancer.
There are two vaccines currently available in the U.S. Gardasil protects against 4 major types of the possible 40 types of HPV. These include 2 types that cause about 70% of cervical cancer and 2 types that cause about 90% of genital warts. Cervarix protects against two types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancer..
The vaccines are safe and effective for females 9 - 26 years old, regardless of their sexual or pap history.
The HPV vaccine is given as a 3-dose series, with the second and third doses given 1-2 months and then 6 months after the first dose.
Contact your health insurance provider or Patient Relations, (614) 292-0113, if you have the Student Health Insurance to determine your coverage for the cost of the HPV vaccine, and then schedule an apointment to start the injection series by calling (614) 292-4321.
For more information about the HPV vaccine visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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