Pediatricians offering HPV vaccine
Dr. Hendsch |
Dr. Sullivan |
Local pediatricians have begun administering the HPV vaccine to prevent certain types of cervical cancer.
Controversy has recently surrounded the vaccine and attempts by some states to require it. A Public Health Committee hearing was held in Hartford in February to discuss a proposed bill to prevent cervical cancer, but most attending — including state legislators, doctors and public health officials — urged a wait-and-see approach for the time being.
Timothy Sullivan, MD, a pediatrician on the Backus Medical Staff, said he has seen an overwhelmingly positive response in his office.
"Although there has been some controversy in the media, in actuality most of the mothers and daughters I have dealt with have experience with cervical cancer and anything they can do to prevent it, they are all for it," he said. He said often either mothers themselves, friends or family have dealt with cervical cancer.
Some families take the information home to read it, but the vast majority of girls have been getting the vaccine, he said. The vaccine is offered during the well child visit, for girls ages 11 and older. The vaccine, manufactured by Merck, was approved for ages 9 to 26.
"We have had people requesting it as well," said Dr. Sullivan. "In fact, we've had some difficulty keeping it in supply. We've been going through a lot of it," He added that it has been available in the office for several months after the federal Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in June.
Nearly 3,700 women in the United States die from cervical cancer each year, including an average of 37 women in Connecticut, according to the state health department. The vaccine, known by its brand name Gardasil, protects women against four strains of the human papillomavirus that are sexually transmitted. Suzelle Hendsch, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist on the Backus Medical Staff, said the strains are the two most common types that cause cancer and are believed to be responsible for 70% of cervical cancers; and the two most common types that cause genital warts.
"Within three years of becoming sexually active, 50% of women will have acquired some form of human papillomavirus," Dr. Hendsch said.
Women who are sexually active should still have regular gynecological exams and pap smears.
Dr. Hendsch said offering a vaccine is not encouraging teens to become sexually active.
"We are trying to protect them from getting cervical cancer," she said. "This won't put the idea (to become sexually active) in their head, it is preparing them for the inevitable. Someday, they will become sexually active and you want them to be prepared and protected."
It is a three-part vaccine. The initial shot is given and then a second shot is given two months later and then the final shot is administered six months from the initial shot. Dr. Sullivan said there is a stinging sensation, but it doesn't last long. The shot is administered in the upper arm. Current data shows the vaccine lasts about five years, so in the future a booster may be developed.
The vaccine costs $120 per shot from the manufacturer and then there are fees from the office as well, so Dr. Hendsch said it costs about $500 total. She said at least half of the insurers have been covering it, and she expects more to cover it in the future.
Dr. Sullivan said most of the shots his office has administered have been covered by insurance.
"I thought there might be some reluctance on the part of insurance companies, because there is no immediate impact, but most have signed on," he said.