Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan now offers the human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical cancer vaccine at their health centers in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Albion. The vaccine requires 3 shots. Each shot costs $180 each.

The FDA recommends the use of the vaccine for girls and women ages 9-26 as the vaccine is best administered before the start of sexual activity. Clinical trials have shown the vaccine is 100% effective in combating the most dangerous strains of human papillomavirus (HPV).  Merck, maker of Garadsil, describes it as a vaccine (injection/shot) that helps protect against the following diseases caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18:

• Cervical cancer (cancer of the lower end of the uterus or womb).
• Abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions.
• Abnormal and precancerous vaginal lesions.
• Abnormal and precancerous vulvar lesions.
• Genital warts.

HPV is extremely common. Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.  HPV is the cause of nearly all cervical cancer. The vaccine will prevent infection for two types of HPV which are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers as well as many cancers of the vulva, anus and penis.  According to the National Cervical Cancer Institute, about 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer disease each year and nearly 4,000 women die in the United States each year from this disease.

Women are strongly encouraged to have this vaccine before they become sexually active, as Gardasil helps prevent these diseases but it will not treat them.

Planned Parenthood recommends vaccine so women can protect their health and significantly reduce their risk of cervical cancer.