HPV Toolkit: Taking the Next Step
HPV Fact Zone
I have decided to get the vaccine, what now?
Financial Responsibility
Check with your insurance provider or local health department to see if the vaccine will be covered or offered at reduced rates (See: Finding Answers for more information about financial assistance).
Talk to Your Doctor
If you have any unanswered questions about the vaccine, talk to your health care provider before you decide to get the vaccine. The more information you have, the better you will feel about the decision that is right for you. This link gives sample questions to ask your doctor and allows you to add your own and print the whole list: http://www.gardasil.com/what-is-gardasil/hpv-and-gardasil/index.html
Set up Reminders
It is important to return for all three shots at the time intervals suggested by your doctor (present, 2 months, 6 months). Resources are available to help you remember your appointments. See the following Web site and fill out the online form to receive mail and/or email alerts to remind you about follow-up appointments: http://www.gardasil.com/what-is-gardasil/3-is-Key/three-is-key/index.html
Practice Safe Sex
After you get the vaccine, continue to use safe sex practices. While this vaccine offers protection against four strains of HPV, you are still vulnerable to other strains, other STDs and pregnancy.
Continue with Pap Screening
It is still important after you get the vaccine to keep up with pap tests. There are some HPV strains that the vaccine does not cover that are still risky. Keeping up with pap screening will help to catch any remaining risk of cell abnormalities.