Jenny Knickerboker
News Reporter
Mesa County Health Department is offering free HPV vaccinations to women 19-26 years of age. HPV (human papillomavirus), is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.
By age 50, at least 80 percent of sexually active women will have the virus. HPV is most common in women and men in their late teens and early 20’s. There are different types of the virus that can affect men and women, with little to no symptoms at all.
Gardasil is the first anti-HPV vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer or genital warts. The vaccine is highly effective against four types of the HPV virus, including two that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer.
Kristy Emerson, of the Mesa County Health Department, said an individual can receive the vaccination starting at age nine. The cost through the Health Department for individuals between the ages of nine and 18 is only $14.50 per dose. After the age of 18, the price would raise to $155 per dose if the Health Department was not providing the vaccinations for free. The vaccination can also be available for men.
The vaccination is given in a three dose series, the second dose is given two months after the initial dose, and the third dose is given four months after the second dose. Outside of the Health Department, the series of shots would normally cost $465, so this discount is a huge savings for college students who want the vaccine.
“It’s more ideal for those who haven’t had sex, but it’s still beneficial for anyone to get,” said Adele Johnson, third year nursing major. According to Johnson, everyone should receive the vaccination because it can make HPV preventable. “The virus can be asymptomatic and dormant for long periods of time so even if you’re not sexually active that year you should still get a pap smear once a year” she said.
Third year nursing student Betsy Hancock said the shot is a great thing for women who are planning on being sexually active or who already are. “I think every girl should get this vaccination, it can only help,” she said.
If interested in getting these series of vaccinations contact the local health department at 970-248-6900 or at www.health.mesacounty.us
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jknicker@mesastate.edu
This is a very interesting article, I would think that every single girl out there would be getting these shots. The fact that you can get them now for free from the local health department is outstanding and I would expect all of Mesa State’s women will be getting in line.