HPV Vaccine Information For Tufts Students

Background: Gardasil, the new HPV Vaccine, is the first licensed vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer and genital warts. It protects against the most common types of Human Pappiloma Virus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. See the patient handout from the manufacturer that we have available in the office (or on line at http://www.gardasil.com/) for complete information. We do have the HPV Vaccine at our office and are able to administer it. This is an exciting and extremely importance advance in womens health care!!!

Who Should Receive the HPV Vaccine? Women between the ages of 9 to 26 years old.

How is the HPV Vaccine Given? It is a series of three shots given over 6 months—at 0, 2 and 6 months. The series can be interrupted (eg for travel abroad), but we do recommend completing it within 1 year. In other words, the minimum time between shots is 2 months between first and second, and 4 months between second and third, but it is fine for there to be a longer period between them.

What Does it Cost? Each shot is 150$ (450$ for the full 3 shot series).

How Will it be Billed? If you receive the HPV vaccine at our office, it will be charged to your bursar bill. It will show up as a Health Service Charge. You will also receive a medical bill, sent to your campus address that you can submit to your insurance if it is covered. It is your responsibility to find out if your insurance will reimburse for this vaccination if you get it at our office.

Does Insurance Cover It? Many insurance companies will cover the cost of this vaccine for women in the recommended age range, but often require that it be given by your doctor at home. It is not covered by Student Health Insurance, which is an accident and illness policy, and not a comprehensive preventative health policy. If you want to receive the vaccine here, be sure to figure out if your insurance will reimburse you for it, or decide whether you are willing to cover the cost yourself. You may need to call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card.