FARMINGTON – WMCA Health Services is pleased to announce that free and low-cost Gardasil, the vaccine to prevent human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer, is now available at WMCA Health Services family planning sites in Farmington, Norway, Lewiston, and Rumford. The Gardasil vaccine targets four types of the HPV virus; HPV Types 16 and 18 which cause 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, and HPV Types 6 and 11 which cause 90 percent of genital warts cases.
“The cost of this vaccine has been a huge barrier to low-income and uninsured girls and women,” says Nancy Audet, program manager of the WMCA Health Services. “We are very excited that this barrier no longer exists for these women, thanks to the Vaccines for Children program for girls under 19 and the vaccine assistance fund for low income women 19-26.”
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Gardasil is a vaccine given as three injections over a period of six months and is approved for girls and women 9-26 years of age. Ideally this vaccine is given to girls before they become sexually active.
“There’s a common misconception that, ‘Oh, I have been sexually active, it’s too late for me:’ and that’s not the case,” says Sara Hayes, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Director of the program. “HPV is indeed very common; over 50% of sexually active women become infected with HPV at some time but it is unlikely that women become infected with all 4 of the types of HPV covered by the vaccine. Even a woman who has had an abnormal pap test due to one of these viruses should still strongly consider getting vaccinated. The vaccine will protect her against the other HPV types she hasn’t been exposed to and will not worsen or improve any current HPV infection she has.”
“Most people with HPV show no signs or symptoms, says Kathy Coleman, a nurse practitioner at the program. “Luckily, HPV is usually a temporary infection that our immune system can get rid of. It’s only when certain “high risk” kinds of HPV don’t go away that the likelihood of cervical cancer increases. Most women with HPV do NOT get cervical cancer.
The vaccine will not prevent all cervical cancers, so it is very important that women continue to get an annual exam and routine pap screening.
The vaccine is a major breakthrough in the prevention of cervical cancer, which claims the lives of 4,000 U.S. women each year. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
In addition to the HPV vaccine, WMCA Health Services provides routine physical exams; birth control counseling and supplies; pregnancy testing and options counseling; emergency contraception; and the testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Fees are based on a sliding fee scale according to household income. People with MaineCare and private insurance are most welcome.
For more information about Gardasil or any of the services offered by WMCA Health Services, call 1-800-587-9354 or check us out online at wmca.org.
