Oregon Adds HPV Vaccine to Vaccines for Children Program

Uninsured and Medicaid eleigible will now be able to receive Gardasil free of charge, thanks to the state adding the vaccine to it's federal immuization program. The Vaccines for Children program provides immunizations to unisured, Medicaid eligible, and American Indian and Alaskan Native children with no out of pocket expense for the family. The vaccine costs $360 for those paying out of pocket.

Oregon is one of the few states that have begun to offer the HPV vaccine for free to children. The vaccine protects against HPV, a virus known to cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine can be given to girls as young as 9 through age 26.