• Cervical cancer is caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) and the FDA has approved a vaccine which may drastically reduce the risk of HPV infection and subsequent genital cancers. The recently released vaccine, Gardasil, recommended for females 9-26 years old and is available by appointment in AHS.

• The vaccine protects against 4 important HPV types:? HPV Types 16 and 18, which are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers, and HPV Types 6 and 11, which cause about 90% of genital warts.

• As with all vaccines, Gardasil may not fully protect everyone who gets the vaccine. In clinical trials, Gardasil was well tolerated in women and girls. The most common side effects include pain, swelling, itching, and redness at the injection site, and fever.

• Gardasil is offered as a series of 3 injections (given at 0, 2 and 6 months) for $135.00 (subject to change) per injection, which may be billed to your IWU student account.

• In some cases insurance may cover the cost of the vaccine.? You may want to contact your insurance company to see if the vaccine is covered before scheduling an appointment with AHS.

• The Pap smear remains a very important screening test for cervical cancer detection and early treatment.? Women who receive Gardasil should continue to have regular Pap smears.
  

• For more information about Gardasil:
  
  Merck
  
  Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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