Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: gardasil.com

Media Credit: dogflu.ca This vaccine has saved many from cervical cancer caused by HPV.

Gardasil, the vaccine for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 6, 11, 16 and 18 is available for students. Students can call and make an appointment at the health care unit to receive a prescription.

The process of obtaining a prescription includes making an appointment, and the nurses must obtain a short history from the student. Like other vaccines, there are contraindications. These contraindications need to be evaluated with each student to help prevent serious side effects or other complications.

Once approved, Nurse Practitioner Karen Lolli prescribes Gardasil free of cost which must be filled at a pharmacy. The cost of Gardasil at a local pharmacy depends on the insurance of the student.

After the prescription is filled, the student must then bring it back to the health care unit where Lolli will administer the shot. The cost of administration is 25 dollars; this fee covers having a new file open, maintaining the record, entering information into the database, and so on.

Gardasil is administered three times in a six month period. After the first shot is given, two months later the second shot is administered. The third dose is given six months after the initial dose. To date, many students have already started their doses at university health care center.

Since Gardasil is a fairly new vaccine, it has received mixed reviews from caregivers. Lolli believes that Gardasil is a great vaccine for young women to consider.

Even though some effects, including the longer term effects of the drug are unknown, it has been proven to protect individuals against diseases caused by HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18.

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