Free and reduced HPV vaccine
By Myrriah Gosset
The Coastal Health District will offer women aged 19-26 the full Human Papillomavirus vaccine. The treatment was developed to help prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV.
The vaccine is given over a course of three doses. All three are required for the vaccine to be fully effective. The series, which normally cost upwards of $160 per dose, will only cost an administrative fee of $14. However, the Coastal Health District has said that they will not turn away those who cannot pay the fee.
To qualify for the program women must:
• Be between the age of 19 and 26 and not pregnant
• Have Medicaid or Medicare
• Have health insurance that does not cover the HPV vaccine
• Have no health insurance at all
The program will continue through September 2010. More information about locations to receive the vaccine, or about the program itself can be found at the Coastal Health District Web site.
