Health Center Recommends HPV Vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US.  Every year about 17,000 women and 9,000 men are affected by cancers caused by HPV.  It is responsible for many cases of genital warts also.

The vaccine is recommended for females and males at 11 or 12 years of age.  It can be given through age 26 depending on certain health related factors and starting over is not necessary if the three doses were not given during the recommended time-frame of 6 months.

The vaccine can help prevent cervical cancers in women, head and neck cancers, anal cancers and genital warts in both sexes and penile cancers in men.  Vaccinated partners are less likely to spread HPV to their partners.

The vaccine is safe and very effective.

Schiffert Health Center has Gardasil 9 and injections are given in the Allergy/Immunization Clinic.  Call 540-231-7621 for an appointment.  The cost of the injection is billed to the student account.  An itemized bill may be turned into insurance for reimbursement.

Gardasil 9 is available at local pharmacies and they bill insurance directly.  Ask for Gardasil 9 because it provides more coverage from the many strains of the virus.