Published: April 30, 2008 07:19 pm         

Planned Parenthood centers offering HPV vaccine

INDIANAPOLIS — Planned Parenthood of Indiana is offering the life-saving HPV vaccine Gardasil at nine of its health centers around the state.

HPV, the human papillomavirus, causes almost all cases of cervical cancer, which is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Because HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, it is important for girls to get vaccinated before their first sexual contact.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls 11 and 12 years of age. It also recommends that women up to age 26 who have not previously received the vaccine, should be immunized.

“This is an amazing opportunity for PPIN to make the HPV vaccine available to individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford it,” said Betty Cockrum, PPIN president and CEO.

“This vaccine represents a major breakthrough in the prevention of cervical cancer. We need to do everything we can to make it available and affordable to as many young women as possible.”

The Terre Haute facility will have the vaccine available beginning today.

The HPV vaccine is given in three separate injections over the course of 6 months. PPIN charges around $165 per shot.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-230-PLAN or visit www.ppin.org.

PPIN joins the American Cancer Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Family of Physicians, as well as many other medical organizations, in recommending that parents make sure their daughters get this valuable vaccine. If the HPV vaccine is widely administered to girls before they become sexually active, cervical cancer will be radically reduced.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana’s mission is to protect, provide and promote reproductive health. The agency provides education and medical services to approximately 125,000 women and men each year, the majority of whom are living in poverty. Planned Parenthood of Indiana offers a full range of affordable reproductive health services including Pap tests for cervical cancer, breast exams, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases through its 35 health centers across the state.