Centers for Disease Control HPV oo0information

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) . . .

A new Vaccine for protection against certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is available for female ECU Student Health Service patients.  Clinical studies with this immunization, available as Gardasil from Merck pharmaceuticals, validate protection against certain Human Papillomavirus types that can cause cervical cancer.

• What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

• What can HPV cause?

• Who is at risk for HPV?

• Will the HPV vaccine protect me from the disease and how long?

• What is Gardasil?

• Who should get immunized against HPV with Gardasil?

• How is the HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) Administered?

• How much does the HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) cost?

• What are the risks from being immunized against HPV with Garadasil?

• How do I or my ECU Student get vaccinated at ECU Student Health Service against HPV with Garadasil?

• What if I recieved my HPV shot at another doctor's office?

What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is a common virus infecting, in 2005, an estimated 20 million people in the United States. There are more than 100 types of HPV; some cause no harm, others though can cause infections of the genitals producing warts and abnormal cell formation in the cervix, vulva, and vagina of women. This abnormal cell formation can lead to the development of cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancer and precancerous lesions.   In the United Sates, approximately 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Of those 10,000 women about 10 women die per day due to cervical cancer. On a larger scale in the world cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women and accounts for nearly half a million diagnosis. Of those diagnosed in the world about 240,000 woman die from cervical cancer. 

What can HPV cause?

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

Who is at risk for HPV?

In 2005, the CDC estimated that at least 50% of sexually active people catch HPV during their lifetime. A male or female of any age who takes part in any kind of sexual activity that involves genital contact is at risk. Approximately 80% of females will have acquired HPV by age 50.  Many people who have HPV may not show any signs or symptoms. This means that they can pass on the virus to others and not know it.

Will the HPV vaccine protect me from the disease and how long?

•       As with all vaccines, the HPV vaccine (Gardasil) may not fully protect everyone who gets the vaccine.
•       Gardasil will not protect against diseases due to non-vaccine HPV types.
•       Gardasil helps protect against 4 types (6, 11, 16, and 18).    These 4 types have been selected for Gardasil because they cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.
•       This vaccine will not protect you against HPV types to which you may have already been exposed.
•       Gardasil also will not protect against other diseases that are not caused by HPV.
•       Gardasil works best when given before you or your child has any contact with certain types of HPV (i.e., HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18).
•       The length of the vaccine protection (immunity) is not yet known. Further studies need to be done to find out how long protection will last. Studies thus far have followed women for 5 years.

What is Gardasil?

Gardasil is an HPV vaccine produced by Merck Vaccines.  It is available as a (injection/shot) that will help protect against the following diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Types in the vaccine (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

Who should get immunized against HPV with Gardasil?

Gardasil is for girls and women age 9 through 26 years old

How is the HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) Administered?

•      Gardasil is given as an intramuscular injection (IM) in the following areas:     Deltoid region of upper arm
•      You or your student will receive 3 doses of the vaccine. Ideally the doses are given as: 
• •    First dose: at a date you and your health care professional choose.
  •    Second dose: 2 months after the first dose.
  •    Third dose: 6 months after the first dose.

•      Make sure that you or your student get all 3 doses. If you or your student misses a dose, your health care professional will decide when to give the missed dose.

How much does the HPV Vaccine (Gardasil) cost?

• The shot is a three shot series, available at Student Health Service, and each shot costs approximately $130 ($390 for full series).
• If you have insurance which pays for HPV vaccination please be aware that ECU Student Health Service is not a contracted provider with any insurance company.  Patients must make payment in the form of cash, check, Mastercard/Visa, or charges to the cashier’s office once services for vaccination are rendered.  It is the patient’s responsibility to follow up with their individual insurance company concerning patient reimbursement for charges. 

What are the risks from being immunized against HPV with Garadasil?

The most commonly reported side effects included:

•       Pain
•       Swelling
•       Itching
•       Redness at the injection site.
•       Fever
•       Difficulty breathing (bronchospasm) has been reported very rarely.

      If you or your student has any unusual or severe symptoms after receiving Gardasil, contact a healthcare professional right away.

How do I or my ECU Student get vaccinated at ECU Student Health Service against HPV with Garadasil?

• HPV vaccination is available by appointment through ECU Student Health Service Pharmacy.  Patients wishing to be vaccinated should call the appointment desk at (252) 328-6841.  Please tell the appointment secretary you would like to receive a vaccination with the HPV vaccine or Gardasil.  The appointment secretary will schedule you’re appointment with a ECU Student Health Service Pharmacist who will explain the vaccine and need for continued annual screening exams. 
• Patients may also be recommended to receive the HPV vaccine during a provider visit or medical exam.  These patients must schedule an appointment for vaccination through the Pharmacy with the appointment secretary at Student Health Service or by calling the appointment secretary.

What if I recieved my HPV shot at another doctor's office?

You may still recieve your subsequent shots from ECU Student Health Pharmacy.  We will need a record from your doctors office though stating the date of your shots.  You may bring this in at the time of your appointment or you may have your doctor's office fax in your record to ECU Student Health Service Pharmacy at (252) 328-0985.  Please also schdule an appointment for Gardasil or HPV vaccination by calling (252) 328-6841 and speaking with an appoinment secretary.

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