In this Article

• What is the HPV vaccine?
• Who should get the HPV vaccine?
• Are there other HPV vaccines in development?
• How and when is the vaccine delivered?
• Is the HPV vaccine effective?
• Is the HPV vaccine safe?
• Does the vaccine contain thimerosal or mercury?
• How long does vaccine protection last? Will a booster shot be needed?
• Will girls/women be protected against HPV and related diseases, even if they don't get all three doses?
• If a woman turns 27 years of age after the first dose of HPV was administered but before the third doses is administered, should the series be completed?
• Does the vaccine protect against cervical cancer?
• How common is cervical cancer?
• Will the girls/women who have been vaccinated still need cervical cancer screening?
• Why is the vaccine only recommended for girls/women ages 9 through 26?
• Why is HPV vaccine recommended for girls 11 to 12 years of age?
• Should pregnant women be vaccinated?
• What about vaccinating males?
• Will my child be required to get the vaccine before she enters school?
• How much will the HPV vaccine cost?
• Will the vaccine be covered by insurance plans?
• How can I get the vaccine if I don't have insurance?
• Gardasil HPV Vaccine Index

How can I get the vaccine if I don't have insurance?

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program helps families of children who may not otherwise have access to vaccines by providing free vaccines to doctors who serve them. The VFC program provides free vaccines to children and adolescents younger than 19 years of age, who are either Medicaid-eligible, American Indian, or Alaska Native or uninsured. There are over 45,000 sites that provide VFC vaccines, including hospital, private, and public clinics. The VFC Program also allows children and adolescents to get VFC vaccines through Federally Qualified Health Centers or Rural Health Centers, if their private health insurance does not cover vaccinations. For more information about the VFC, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/

Some states also provide free or low-cost vaccines at public health department clinics to people without health insurance coverage for vaccines.

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Gardasil (HPV Vaccine) - Gardasil HPV vaccine (recombinant human papillomavirus quadrivalent vaccine) drug class, prescription, injection, preparation, storage, dosage, drug interaction, pregnancy and nursing, and side effects information.
• Pap Smear - Read about Pap smear, a test to screen for cervical cancer, and precancerous changes in the cervix. Risk factors for abnormal Pap include HPV, smoking medicaitons, and a weakened immune system.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Women (STDs) - Learn and become aware of common STDs in women, including descriptions, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of each type of infection.

Read more Gardasil HPV Vaccine related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Experimental Vaccine Targets Genital Cancer
• HPV Vaccine Not as Painful as Some Think
• CDC: Partial OK of Gardasil for Boys
• CDC Panel Says No to Routine Use of Gardasil for Boys