Buzz
The FDA has recently approved the HPV vaccine for both men and women up to the age of 45, expanding its availability beyond the previous age range of preteens through 26-year-olds.
The approved vaccine, Gardasil 9, provides protection against nine high-risk types of HPV, which can lead to cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers like those affecting the vulva, vagina, and anus. The vaccine also helps prevent certain types of genital warts.
Many sexually active adults have encountered one or more strains of HPV without any issues. However, in some cases, the virus can evade the immune system, causing cell mutations that may lead to cancer. Pap smears and cervical cancer screenings are designed to detect early signs of this process.
Experts argue that, given the wide variety of HPV strains and the vaccine's effectiveness, it’s beneficial to receive the vaccine at any age. With the FDA's recent approval, Merck, the maker of Gardasil 9, can now promote the vaccine for individuals up to age 45.
Am I able to receive the vaccine now?
Although your doctor could technically have prescribed the vaccine off-label, there were two main challenges in persuading them. First, if you're over 26, you've likely already encountered one or more strains of the HPV virus, making the vaccine ineffective against those. Second, because the vaccine was primarily approved and recommended for younger individuals, insurance companies would rarely cover it. For those of us older folks, the full vaccine regimen—which includes three shots spaced over several months—can cost up to $400 out-of-pocket.
FDA approval is just the beginning of the journey to insurance coverage, but we aren't there yet. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover vaccines recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. If this group eventually endorses the HPV vaccine for older adults, you can bet that it will be covered. Until then, the decision rests with your insurance provider.
