$4.6 Million Gift Enhances HPV Vaccine Awareness in Texas

A Texas philanthropist is funding a new $4.6 million campaign to raise human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in 26 North Texas counties. 

According to the Dallas News, Dallas philanthropist Lyda Hill is funding a 3-year project to educate healthcare providers about the benefits of the HPV vaccine, called Gardasil 9.

This is good news since the state of Texas has a very low HPV vaccination rate. During 2018, Texas ranked 44th out of 50 states for HPV vaccine rates among teenagers.

The Gardasil 9 vaccine is the only HPV vaccine approved in the USA and helps protect girls and women ages 9 to 45 against cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers and genital warts caused by HPV viruses.

Additionally, Gardasil 9 helps protect boys and men ages 9 to 45 against anal cancer and genital warts caused by those same HPV types.

Gardasil 9 may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV.

“It’s not very often you can make an investment with maximum return,” said Nicole Small, CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies. 

“Every kid that gets vaccinated is one that won’t get one of these cancers years later.”

The vaccination campaign launches on June 8, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Texas counties included in the campaign are Cherokee, Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Hopkins, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Rusk, Smith, Somervell, Tarrant, Upshur and Wise.

According to Cancer.org, most insurance plans will probably cover the HPV vaccine cost, if it is given according to national guidelines.

But, check with your insurance plan to be sure.

Additionally, the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine is available to all uninsured or underinsured boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 18, through the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program.

The TVFC program provides free vaccines to children and teens younger than 19 years of age, who are either Medicaid-eligible, American Indian or Alaska Native, or uninsured.

And vaccine financial support programs can be found at Vaccine Discounts.

Recent HPV vaccine news:

• Vaccinations Reduced HPV in Both Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Women
• HPV Vaccinations Lead to Reduced CIN2+ Cancer Cases
• Urinary HPV DNA Testing Can Reach Additional Women

HPV is the world's most prevalent sexually transmitted infection and is associated with life-threatening cancers including cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, vagina, vulva, mouth and throat, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Around 90 percent of cervical cancer cases are HPV-related.

HPV infections are so common that nearly all men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. The HPV virus is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact.

Nearly 80 million Americans are currently infected with some type of HPV. About 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year, says the CDC.

HPV vaccination services are offered by most physician offices, and in some states, nurse and pharmacists also deliver HPV vaccinations.

Parents in Texas can also call 2-1-1 to find a healthcare provider.

Relevant Links: CDC vaccination schedules, CDC vaccine price list, international travel alerts, and report vaccine side effects.