A girl receives an HPV vaccination at a local Public Health Center.

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Girls in King County and across Washington state will now have access to a new vaccine at no cost that prevents cervical cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Over 300 health care clinical sites and Public Health Centers across King County are now receiving vaccine for their patients.

“This vaccine will help improve the long-term quality of life for thousands of girls in King County by helping to prevent this cancer,” said King County Executive Ron Sims . “Thanks to the leadership of the state legislature and Governor Gregoire, cost will not be an issue for girls in our community to receive the HPV vaccine.”

All girls at ages 11-12 years are recommended to receive the HPV vaccine by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which sets national guidelines for routine immunizations.  It can be given to girls as young as nine years and for girls and women age 13 through 26 years who have not already been vaccinated.  

“This vaccine is a cancer prevention breakthrough,” said Dr. David Fleming , Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County . “We want parents and their daughters to know the health benefits of getting the vaccine and that it’s available in our community.”

Children should get a regular medical check-up at 11-12 years, which makes it an excellent time to receive the vaccine, which is given in three doses over a six month period. Four types of the HPV virus are protected against by the vaccine, two that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers and another two that cause about 90 percent of genital warts.

Cervical cancer is a serious illness, with an average of 57 new diagnosed cases per year in King County during 1998-2002, and an average of 15 deaths per year from cervical cancer during 1999-2003.  In 2003, cervical cancer incidence in the United States was 8.1 per 100,000 women, with approximately 11,820 new cases reported.

Where to get the vaccine

Parents are urged to visit their regular health care provider for all childhood immunizations.  Nine Public Health Centers across King County also give childhood vaccinations, including HPV. For more information on the nearest Center, visit www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/clinics.htm or call 206-296-4949. The vaccine is available for children at no cost, though health care providers may charge an office and/or administrative fee.

For women 19-26 years of age, vaccine is available through many private clinics and pharmacies on a fee for service basis, and the cost is covered for women in this age range by most major health insurers in the state. Vaccine is free for girls from 9-18, and insurance is not required.

The HPV vaccine is made available for children through the Washington State Department of Health’s Universal Childhood Vaccine program, which uses state and federal funding to buy recommended vaccines. Locally, Public Health – Seattle & King County works to distribute the local allocation of vaccine to over 1,800 health care providers.

More information on the HPV vaccine is available on the Public Health – Seattle & King County Web site at www.metrokc.gov/health/hpv.

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

# # #