Kamm McKenzie provides vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) with GARDASIL9. GARDASIL9 is a vaccine that helps protect young women and young men against nine of the most common strains of the HPV (human papillomavirus) and is available to women and men ages 9 – 45.
The HPV vaccination has been proven to be safe after 12 years of monitoring and research. GARDASIL9 has also been shown to be effective in the long term, with no evidence of protection decreasing over time.
What is the HPV vaccine?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that is spread through skin to skin contact. There are more than 100 types of HPV, and most of them cause no symptoms and infections go away on their own. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40 of those varieties can infect the genital areas of men and women. Most people who are sexually active will get some form of HPV at some point in their lives. While most types of HPV do not cause any symptoms, HPV infection is the most common contributing factor to cervical cancer.
What Does GARDASIL9 Protect Against?
In women, this vaccine helps protect against:
- The most common types of HPV that cause more than 75% of cervical cancers.
- 2 types of HPV (6, 11) that cause approximately 90% of genital warts.
- GARDASIL9 also helps prevent both vaginal and vulvar cancers.
While girls and women do not need to have a Pap or HPV test before getting vaccinated, they should continue to be screened for cervical cancer on a schedule recommended by their doctor. While the HPV vaccine protects against the most common types of the virus, it does not protect against all types that can cause cervical cancer.
Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?
According to guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- The HPV vaccine is recommended for routine vaccination at age 11 or 12. Both boys and girls should get vaccinated.
- Two doses of the vaccine are recommended for children less than 15 years old.
- Older children and young adults need three doses instead of two.
- The HPV vaccination is recommended for everyone through age 26 if they have not been vaccinated already.
- Adults between ages 27 and 45 who have not been vaccinated can talk to their doctor about whether they should get vaccinated.
At Kamm McKenzie OBGYN we offer HPV vaccination for women ages 11-45 with the GARDASIL9 vaccine.
Does Insurance Cover HPV Vaccination?
GARDASIL9 is covered by most health insurance plans but may have an associated co-pay, co-insurance or deductible. We confirm every patient’s health insurance coverage for GARDASIL9 prior to vaccine administration.
Kamm McKenzie OBGYN offers comprehensive care for women in the Raleigh, NC area, including providing the HPV vaccine. If you have not started, or completed, the GARDASIL9 vaccination series, you may call our office at (919) 781-6200 to schedule a consultation or discuss GARDASIL9 at your next annual exam.
