Insurance Companies--Make it "One Less"
Merck paints a nice picture--girls in a city, jumping rope together, chanting "One less--I wanna be one less." They're singing about how they can avoid cervical cancer by getting the new HPV vaccine--Gardasil. This vaccine protects women against four strains of HPV, and two of these strains are responsible for up to 70% of all cervical cancer cases. Why is this such a big deal? Because the CDC estimates that at least 50% of US citizens will contract HPV in their lifetimes (and according to many studies, 75% may be a more accurate figure). This vaccine is a HUGE advance in modern medicine and has been championed by medical professionals and women's rights activists alike. More than 12 states have already introduced legislation attempting to make the vaccine mandatory or available free.
In the mean time, few insurance companies currently offer compensation for the vaccine, and some medical practitioners are apparently choosing to write prescriptions for it or other ways of avoiding stocking it because of the cost. Getting a full HPV vaccination requires three shots, each costing $120+. At Cornell, the vaccine costs $150/shot. As a graduate student who complained bitterly when her flu shot cost her $25, I appreciate the toll that $450 can take on a budget. Maybe I'm stereotyping a bit too much, but I find it unlikely that the little girls in the commercial will be receiving the vaccine any time soon (unless they live in the right state, and the legislature flows through).
I don't really blame Merck... I'm sure the development costs were enormous, and the vaccine has only been around since July. But all insurance companies should be providing reimbursement for this one. The vaccine doesn't work after you've contracted HPV--this is something we need to do for the nation's kids.
I will be writing a letter to my insurance company to encourage them to cover this vaccine. I hope you will see my blog and decide to do the same.
In the mean time, few insurance companies currently offer compensation for the vaccine, and some medical practitioners are apparently choosing to write prescriptions for it or other ways of avoiding stocking it because of the cost. Getting a full HPV vaccination requires three shots, each costing $120+. At Cornell, the vaccine costs $150/shot. As a graduate student who complained bitterly when her flu shot cost her $25, I appreciate the toll that $450 can take on a budget. Maybe I'm stereotyping a bit too much, but I find it unlikely that the little girls in the commercial will be receiving the vaccine any time soon (unless they live in the right state, and the legislature flows through).
I don't really blame Merck... I'm sure the development costs were enormous, and the vaccine has only been around since July. But all insurance companies should be providing reimbursement for this one. The vaccine doesn't work after you've contracted HPV--this is something we need to do for the nation's kids.
I will be writing a letter to my insurance company to encourage them to cover this vaccine. I hope you will see my blog and decide to do the same.
posted by megan at
2:08 PM
3 Comments:
GARDASIL is for girls and women ages 9 to 26. GARDASIL works when given before you have any contact with HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
If you've already been infected with HPV, you may still benefit from GARDASIL because it is unlikely that you have been infected with all 4 types of the virus covered by the vaccine. Your doctor or healthcare professional can help you understand more.
I am posting this only to say that young women your age are not in the group it is currently recommended for.
I do agree it should be covered by insurance but so should the required childhood immunizations.
PLEASE write the insurance companies and maybe even your congressmen and women.
By
Anonymous, at 4:45 PM
I am a nurse at an OB/GYN office and, while "Momma" is right about the recommended age range for this vaccine, a person can begin the series while 26.
Also, most insurances are covering this vaccine for our patients minus the cost of injection which varies by office.
If you don't plan on having any more sexual partners, getting the vaccine won't make a difference for you, i.e. you've been exposed or you haven't.
Finally, I don't know the details on this vaccine as well, but there will be a second vaccine on the market called Cervatrix. It will only be two shots, I think. The rep is being fairly closed mouthed about it as of yet. It looks like it will be available sometime spring/summer 2007.
One last beef, I hate that parents object to the HPV vaccine because it is an STD virus, while willingly, blindly, having their children vaccinated for Hep B (also an STD) or the fairly harmless Chicken Pox.
By
Anonymous, at 12:19 AM
This is great info to know.
By
Anonymous, at 3:09 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home