Gardasil is Now Available at Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando!
Gardasil is now approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for boys, girls, men and women ages 9 - 26.
Gardasil is the only vaccine that can protect women from the two strains of the HPV virus that can cause cervical cancers. It also protects men and women from two strains of the HPV virus that can cause genital warts.
Call 407-246-1788 for more information about the HPV vaccine Gardasil, or to schedule an appointment.
Cost
Most insurance plans now cover Gardasil. Contact your health insurance provider to verify coverage. The Vaccine for Children (VFC) program also provides free or low-cost vaccines to children and adolescents younger than age 19 or those who are eligible for Medicaid. Contact your local health department for more information on this program.
Individuals age 19 and older who have no health insurance and meet financial criteria may qualify for the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program to receive the vaccine at no charge. Call 407-246-1788 for complete details.
About HPV and Garasil
HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus. Some types of HPV are sexually transmitted. They can infect the throat and the genital area — the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum. Some types may cause genital warts. Other types may cause cell changes that can lead to cervial and other cancers. Most types seem to have no harmful effect at all.
The HPV vaccine, Gardasil, protects against HPV types 16 and 18. These strains cause 7 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer. It also protects against types 6 and 11. These strains cause 9 out of 10 cases of genital warts.
The vaccine makes your body’s immune system produce antibodies to these HPV types. The antibodies protect you from getting infected with HPV.
The HPV vaccine is given in a series of three shots. You will get the second shot two months after the first shot. You will get the third shot four months after the second shot. So, in all, it takes six months to get all three shots.The HPV vaccine represents a major breakthrough in the prevention of cervical cancer. Each year approximately 10,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the United States, and 4,000 American women die from the disease. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
Gardasil will not prevent all forms of cervical cancer, so it’s important for women to continue getting regular Pap tests. Practicing safer sex (using condoms) reduces the risk of contracting HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.
