The total cost of HPV vaccination is $390 according to Cancer.org

Many young women don’t get vaccinated with the HPV vaccine. A study shows that one major reason for this limited uptake of the vaccine is its high cost. This information was published in February, 2013 in the journal Prevention of Chronic Disease. (1)

Many young women are unable to afford an HPV treatment, such as Gardasil, because it requires three injections, each costing $130 according to Cancer.org (2), which brings the total cost to $390.

Jennifer Allen, a spokesperson for Merck (the pharmaceutical company that manufactured Gardasil), said that “We based the price on a number of factors, most importantly the value Gardasil brings to individuals and society … HPV-related diseases cost the U.S. health-care system about $5 billion every year, and we took that into consideration.” (3)

However, “the HPV vaccine is the most expensive routine vaccine in the U.S.; in contrast, many childhood vaccines combine several immunizations in a single shot for $20 to $30 a dose.” (3)

The bottom line?

“Both directly and indirectly, Gardasil’s high price has made it less accessible, raising the distinct possibility that more people would get the vaccine if it were more affordable.” (3)

References:

(1) Laurel A. Mills, DrPH; Katharine J. Head, MA; Robin C. Vanderpool, DrPH “HPV Vaccination Among Young Adult Women: A Perspective From Appalachian Kentucky” Prev Chronic Dis 2013;10:120183. – CDC.gov

(2) cancer.org – “How much do the HPV vaccines cost? Are they covered by health insurance plans?” Last Revised: 12/12/2014

(3) discovermagazine.com – Saarman, E. “Why Is the HPV Vaccine So Expensive? Good for the cervix, rough on the pocketbook” Published June 11, 2007