The HPV vaccine is a series of 3 shots injected into the muscle tissue over a 6 month period to protect oneself from the HPV virus and the problems that come with it. The vaccine also protects against Cervical Cancer in women. Gardasil and Cervarix are the 2 vaccines available. Gardasil is the only vaccine available for males.
The vaccine should be utilized by teen and pre-teen girls and boys starting at age 11-12. But women through the age of 26 and men through the age of 21 can utilize the vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for gay and bisexual men. It is also highly recommended that individuals living with HIV/AIDS or compromised immune systems through age 26 utilize the vaccine.
http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccine.html
The HPV vaccine costs about $130 per shot, not including the doctors charges. The full vaccine could potentially cost $500 or more. However, if you are on private insurance, the Gold Card, Medicaid, or SCHIP, you might not have to pay the full cost. If you have private insurance you should check with your insurance company; if you are on one of the other programs you should check out our link to clinics that accept those programs:
https://cervicalcancerhpv.blogs.rice.edu/local-clinics/where-can-i-go-to-the-doctor/
Do I need the Vaccine?
HPV vaccines offer the best protection to girls and boys who receive all three vaccine doses and have time to develop an immune response before being sexually active with another person. That’s why HPV vaccination is recommended for preteen girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years. The good news is that the Texas government through the Texas Vaccines for Children program offers free HPV vaccinations for any children between the ages of 9 and 18, even if you don’t have insurance. It’s a very good idea to protect yourself and your children from HPV!