Benefit updates: Gardasil

Vaccine recommended for teen girls

On June 8, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil, the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer caused by certain viruses. One federal government official termed it “an important day for public health and for women's health.”

UPMC Health Plan now covers Gardasil as a preventive service and considers the vaccine medically necessary for girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26. Gardasil is a recombinant vaccine (contains no live virus) that is given as three injections over a 6-month period.

Gardasil helps protect women against the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The vaccine is approved for use in females 9-26 years of age. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 6.2 million Americans become infected with genital HPV each year, and that over half of all sexually active men and women become infected at some time in their lives.

In addition to the vaccine, UPMC Health Plan also covers HPV testing.

As part of a routine review of benefits, the Health Plan also approved coverage of the Hepatitis A vaccine and recommends its use for all children beginning at age 1. The vaccine is also covered for adults with specific risk factors. The vaccine is not covered when administered for travel or employment reasons.

Zostavax vaccine, which offers protection against herpes zoster (shingles), was approved and is covered for adults age 60 and older with a history of chicken pox and with certain limitations (e.g., it is not recommended for pregnant women).