Gardasil (HPV Vaccine)

Gardasil is a vaccine that helps protect women from several serious gynecological conditions caused by exposure to four strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). These conditions include cervical cancer, genital warts, and abnormal, precancerous lesions of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. 

Low-cost HPV vaccination at Gannett

If you are a women under 19 years of age, see below for details.

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What is HPV?

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common virus with over 100 different strains. (Gardasil helps protect against strains 6 and 11, which cause warts, and 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers.) The virus is transmitted to both males and females through any kind of activity that involves genital-to-genital skin contact (i.e., no penetration and/or exchange of body fluid is necessary). Because HPV is transmitted so easily, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that at least 50% of sexually active people contract HPV during their lifetime. Many people who have HPV have no symptoms but they can still pass on the virus on to others.

What’s the link with cervical cancer?

Cancer of the cervix is typically caused by persistent infection with HPV. The HPV causes damage to the normal cells which, over time, can become cancerous. Pap tests can detect the early cell changes, called cervical dysplasia, and these changes can be treated and cured.

The Gardasil vaccine can decrease a woman’s risk of having any cervical abnormalities at all, as well as reduce her risk of genital warts. (It is important to note that you cannot get HPV from the Gardasil vaccine.) While many women get infected with HPV, most will heal the infection on their own and not get cervical abnormalities, even if they are not vaccinated.

There have been some recent news reports challenging  the safety of the vaccine and these are in dispute. An FDA fact sheet provides information about the current controversy. It is up to each woman (in consultation with her clinician and-- for young girls-- her family) to weigh the relative risks of contracting HPV, including the strains against which Gardasil offers protection against any potential side effects of the vaccine.

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How do I get Gardasil?

Gardasil available at low cost to women under 19

Gannett is participating in a New York State program called Vaccines for Children (VFC) that allows us to provide Gardasil for just $10 per shot to Cornell students who are UNDER 19 YEARS OF AGE, and meet any one of the following criteria:
- you are enrolled in Medicaid
- you are American Indian or Alaskan Native
- your insurance does not cover the cost of the vaccines (students enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan are eligible for the VFC program, as Gardasil is not covered by SHIP)

Remember, Gardasil is a 3-dose vaccine: the second shot is given two months after the first; the third is given six months after the first. The total cost to those eligible for the VFC program is $30 ($10 per shot). (When not covered by insurance, the total cost for the three shots is $420.) To receive the VFC price, you must be under 19 when you start the series.

Call Gannett for an appointment to start the shot regimen or request the vaccine when you are at Gannett for another medical appointment.

If you need to cancel your appointment, please call 255-5155 at least 4 hours ahead. There is a $10 fee for no shows and late cancellations.

If you are over 19 years of age

The cost for the 3 dose vaccine is $420. You may schedule your appointment for a shot at Gannett at any time. Coverage by insurance carriers is very limited (most insurance plans do not cover preventive vaccines), so you may want to check with your insurance company about your coverage.

Does immunization mean I don’t need to worry about HPV?

Gardasil  protects against some of the cancer-causing strains of HPV, but not all. It is recommended that women receiving Gardasil who are sexually active practice safer sex (i.e. use condoms or other latex barriers) and that they maintain a commitment to receiving an annual GYN exam . A Pap smear should be done every two years if aged 21-29, every three years if 30 yrs. or older. Pap smears are critical for the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. Additionally, the physical exam and counseling that are part of the annual GYN exam can help detect and treat other infections and/or problems associated with women's reporductive system. To schedule an annual exam at Gannett, call 255-5155.