I just went for my annual gynaecological checkup a couple of weeks back and was informed by my ob-gyn that a new vaccine which offers a 90-over percentage prevention against cervical cancer is now available. My first question was “How much?” My gynae says it will cost about RM1,500 for a series of 3 jabs. Well, at first glance that would seem steep but if you compare that with an average of RM16,000 for a hysterectomy in the event of cervical cancer, it all makes perfect sense.
I still haven’t decided if I want to go for this vaccine yet. This vaccine is called the Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine and combats the virus which causes cervical cancer, i.e. the human papillomavirus (HPV). Well actually the vaccine is not 100% preventative and protects against 4 strains of the virus, but these are the 4 most prevalent strains. Hence this explains why the vaccine is only 90-over % effective, and not 100%.
With the advent of this vaccine, this is good news for all women. The fact that lives can be spared just by vaccinating oneself is definitely news which is welcomed. However, some people claim that the introduction of this vaccine, especially for young girls as young as 11-12 years, will encourage promiscuous activity, since the HPV is a virus which is spread through sexual activities. I beg to differ. If young girls are vaccinated against the HPV, that does not give them the license to go ahead and indulge in rampant sex, but if they do, I strongly feel it is the upbringing that causes it. So the parents should be the ones who are responsible in inculcating responsible actions among their kids, and not blame it on some vaccine.
So have I decided to take this vaccine? I dunno yet. I’m still undecided. I fervently hope my insurance can cover for it, or better yet, that my company will foot the bill for the vaccination. Then I’ll take it in a heartbeat.
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no lah. Our insurance won’t cover this and neither will our co pay for it. I read that it is subsidised by the govt now and it cost RM900++. i was thinking of taking it and getting it covered under my husb’s dependent benefit, under Outpatient medical reimbursement. Check and see if your husb’s benefit can cover this.
The Giddy Tiger says: You hubby’s company probably covers it but my hubby’s company doesn’t cover vaccination for dependent’s benefit 🙁
m’sia government even willing to subsidize the vaccine?if rm900++. is worth..
another m’sia boleh!
The Giddy Tiger says: It’s indeed a lauded move that the govt is providing the subsidy, this is to ensure not just the *privileged few* get immunized.
if it’s really can prevent cervical cancer, it’s worth to take this injection…em…i also want to ask my ob-gyn if i visit him…btw, i have link u in my blog, and hope that i also link me too….hehehe…
The Giddy Tiger says: I agree.
I asked about the vaccine when I did my pap smear, he brushed my question away and said it is very expensive.
The Giddy Tiger says: Huh? Why brush your question away? Aren’t you entitled to know more?
The vaccine for cervical cancer has created quite an uproar in Texas. After being sworn in after his second election, the governor announced that he was making it mandatory for all school age girls (I think 10 years old) are required to take the vaccine. This came totally out of the blue. It was never a campaign issue.
This created quite an uproar. The vaccine is produced by Merck, who coincidentally contributed a sizeable sum to the governors election campaign.
From what I learned, HPV virus that causes cervical cancer is enabled by an STD. Just likes aids or a venereal disease. If you and your hubby are loyal sexually then you should not have a problem.
Also if this is the Merck drug it does not stop all of the different strains of HPV. In fact it only stops a few of the strains and there are over 50 of them.
Do a little research of your own. I know you are good at research. And see if you really do need this or not. Maybe ask the opinions of some of our doctor friends on the blogosphere. Ask your doctor these questions too of course.
I am ticked at my governor. But if my women folk need this vaccine of course I want them to have it. But I don’t wanna do it just because it is there. I like medicine with a purpose besides someone else’s profit.
The Giddy Tiger says: You have a valid point there, SA, especially the part about being sexually loyal. I will do some research on my own to see if the vaccine is really necessary and then I can make an informed decision. Thanks!
Many people do have Hpv it’s quite scary and when they say that states should give it to children as young as 10 I have to agree because I was diagnosed with this disease and now its to late. Not that anything is wrong it just sucks knowing now they have a cure. And most people wont get a vacine like this on there own making themselves feel like a little well you know especially in high school.
The Giddy Tiger says: Sorry to hear about that, Missy. But medical science will just keep on improving. Take care.