The HPV vaccine is most commonly used foradolescents aged 11 and 12, but can potentially be given to anyone aged 9 to 45.For those aged 13 to 17, Gardasil 9 is most often given in a doctor’s office, but can also be administered in other healthcare facilities like clinics, health departments, hospitals, and pharmacies.
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Although many health insurance companies will pay for the vaccine, coverage can vary among providers and policies based on a variety of factors. If you find yourself without coverage for the HPV vaccine, there are a few options you can explore to get it at low or even no cost.
This article reviews what they are and why HPV vaccination is so important.
How Much Does Gardasil 9 Cost?
Why HPV Vaccination Is Needed
A 2019 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated an average of 34,800 new cancer diagnoses each year can be attributed to prior HPV infection.These include:
If HPV vaccination recommendations were followed, it is estimated that 92% of these HPV-related cancers could be avoided.
Approximately 150 different strains of HPV have been identified—with those linked to cancers considered high-risk strains and those linked togenital wartsclassified as low risk.
HPV Vaccination RecommendationsThe CDC recommends HPV vaccination for girls and boys ages 11 to 12. The vaccine can also be given to anyone 26 and under who has not been adequately vaccinated and children as young as 9, if needed. Some people up to age 45 are also eligible.
HPV Vaccination Recommendations
The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for girls and boys ages 11 to 12. The vaccine can also be given to anyone 26 and under who has not been adequately vaccinated and children as young as 9, if needed. Some people up to age 45 are also eligible.
Benefits and Risk of HPV Vaccination
Access to HPV Vaccination
You can get the HPV vaccine from a pediatrician, family healthcare provider, or gynecologist’s office.
Government Access Programs
Children age 19 or younger are eligible for vaccines through VFC if they meet the following requirements:
Most comprehensive health insurers will cover the HPV vaccines without cost-sharing, but short-term health insurance policies may not. Your health provider can help you work through options.
Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program
The pharmaceutical company that manufactures the vaccine also has a vaccine assistance program to cover the cost of the vaccine itself. To qualify, you must:
Merck Vaccine Program Income Eligibility RequirementsIn 2021, you could have qualified for the Merck assistance program if you made $51,520 or less as an individual, $69,680 or less as a couple, or $106,000 or less as a family of four.
Merck Vaccine Program Income Eligibility Requirements
In 2021, you could have qualified for the Merck assistance program if you made $51,520 or less as an individual, $69,680 or less as a couple, or $106,000 or less as a family of four.
For more information, call Merck Patient Assistance Program at 800-727-5400 or visit thecompany’s website.
Other Options
If you do not qualify for assistance elsewhere, there are alternative avenues to explore, including:
Summary
Many of the HPV strains that cause cancer can be prevented with the HPV vaccine. Gardisil 9, the only FDA-approved HPV vaccine, can be given in many different medical settings. Multiple doses are needed for the best protection against HPV. Check with your healthcare provider to ensure you receive all the recommended doses.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsFree HPV vaccine requirements will depend on the rules of the specific assistance program. People without insurance or who are low-income may qualify for free HPV vaccines. Talk with your provider about any concerns you have about the cost of the vaccine.Learn MoreHow Much Does Gardasil 9 Cost?According to the manufacturer, a dose of Gardasil 9 is about $250 for the medication.There may also be fees from the healthcare professional who administers the injection. However, insurance and some financial assistance programs may help to reduce your actual cost.Many health insurance programs cover the cost of the HPV vaccine. Check with your policy to see if that is true for you. There are also some financial assistance programs that help to pay for some or all of the cost of HPV vaccines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free HPV vaccine requirements will depend on the rules of the specific assistance program. People without insurance or who are low-income may qualify for free HPV vaccines. Talk with your provider about any concerns you have about the cost of the vaccine.Learn MoreHow Much Does Gardasil 9 Cost?
Free HPV vaccine requirements will depend on the rules of the specific assistance program. People without insurance or who are low-income may qualify for free HPV vaccines. Talk with your provider about any concerns you have about the cost of the vaccine.
Learn MoreHow Much Does Gardasil 9 Cost?
According to the manufacturer, a dose of Gardasil 9 is about $250 for the medication.There may also be fees from the healthcare professional who administers the injection. However, insurance and some financial assistance programs may help to reduce your actual cost.
Many health insurance programs cover the cost of the HPV vaccine. Check with your policy to see if that is true for you. There are also some financial assistance programs that help to pay for some or all of the cost of HPV vaccines.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE.Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(32):698-702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3Lu P jun, Yankey D, Fredua B, et al.National and state-specific estimates of settings of receiving human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescents in the United States.Journal of Adolescent Health. 2021;69(4):597-603. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.005Satterwhite CL, Torrone E, Meites E, et al.Sexually transmitted infections among us women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2008.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2013;40(3):187-193. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318286bb53Senkomago V, Henley SJ, Thomas CC, Mix JM, Markowitz LE, Saraiya M.Human papillomavirus–attributable cancers — United States, 2012–2016.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(33):724-728. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6833a3Kamolratanakul S, Pitisuttithum P.Human papillomavirus vaccine efficacy and effectiveness against cancer.Vaccines. 2021;9(12):1413. doi:10.3390/vaccines9121413Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About VFC.Kaiser Family Foundation.The HPV vaccine: Access and use in the US.Merck Helps.Gardasil 9.Gardasil-9.Cost information.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE.Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(32):698-702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3Lu P jun, Yankey D, Fredua B, et al.National and state-specific estimates of settings of receiving human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescents in the United States.Journal of Adolescent Health. 2021;69(4):597-603. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.005Satterwhite CL, Torrone E, Meites E, et al.Sexually transmitted infections among us women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2008.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2013;40(3):187-193. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318286bb53Senkomago V, Henley SJ, Thomas CC, Mix JM, Markowitz LE, Saraiya M.Human papillomavirus–attributable cancers — United States, 2012–2016.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(33):724-728. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6833a3Kamolratanakul S, Pitisuttithum P.Human papillomavirus vaccine efficacy and effectiveness against cancer.Vaccines. 2021;9(12):1413. doi:10.3390/vaccines9121413Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About VFC.Kaiser Family Foundation.The HPV vaccine: Access and use in the US.Merck Helps.Gardasil 9.Gardasil-9.Cost information.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE.Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(32):698-702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3Lu P jun, Yankey D, Fredua B, et al.National and state-specific estimates of settings of receiving human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescents in the United States.Journal of Adolescent Health. 2021;69(4):597-603. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.005Satterwhite CL, Torrone E, Meites E, et al.Sexually transmitted infections among us women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2008.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2013;40(3):187-193. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318286bb53Senkomago V, Henley SJ, Thomas CC, Mix JM, Markowitz LE, Saraiya M.Human papillomavirus–attributable cancers — United States, 2012–2016.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(33):724-728. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6833a3Kamolratanakul S, Pitisuttithum P.Human papillomavirus vaccine efficacy and effectiveness against cancer.Vaccines. 2021;9(12):1413. doi:10.3390/vaccines9121413Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About VFC.Kaiser Family Foundation.The HPV vaccine: Access and use in the US.Merck Helps.Gardasil 9.Gardasil-9.Cost information.
National Cancer Institute.Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE.Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(32):698-702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3
Lu P jun, Yankey D, Fredua B, et al.National and state-specific estimates of settings of receiving human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescents in the United States.Journal of Adolescent Health. 2021;69(4):597-603. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.005
Satterwhite CL, Torrone E, Meites E, et al.Sexually transmitted infections among us women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2008.Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2013;40(3):187-193. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318286bb53
Senkomago V, Henley SJ, Thomas CC, Mix JM, Markowitz LE, Saraiya M.Human papillomavirus–attributable cancers — United States, 2012–2016.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(33):724-728. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6833a3
Kamolratanakul S, Pitisuttithum P.Human papillomavirus vaccine efficacy and effectiveness against cancer.Vaccines. 2021;9(12):1413. doi:10.3390/vaccines9121413
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About VFC.
Kaiser Family Foundation.The HPV vaccine: Access and use in the US.
Merck Helps.Gardasil 9.
Gardasil-9.Cost information.
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