It’s never too late to get the vaccine for HPV, the virus that can lead to cervical and other cancers – Chappelle Pharmasave Pharmacy Gardasil 9

The question: A few of my married female friends have been told by their doctors to get the Gardasil 9 vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. We’ve all heard about the benefits of teens getting vaccinated, but it’s news to me that older people might need it. Should I get it, too?

The Answer: It’s certainly true that there’s been a big push to inoculate adolescents before they become sexually active. But the vaccine isn’t only for teens.

Here’s what you need to know: Gardasil 9, the most widely used brand of the vaccine, guards against nine different types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through vaginal, anal and oral sex.

An infection can cause cellular changes that may lead to cervical cancer and other tumours affecting both females and males.

There are actually dozens of different types of HPV. The vaccine provides protection from the forms of HPV that are responsible for about 90 per cent of cervical cancers and a high percentage of throat, oral, penis, anal, vaginal and vulva cancers, as well as genital warts.

The Vaccine Gardasil is covered by most insurance providers.

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