by KYW's David Madden
Montgomery County officials are urging parents to get their daughters vaccinated against HPV, which can lead to cervical cancer -- whether they can afford it or not.
The newly created Gardasil vaccine, given in three doses over eight months, can prevent 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases, which is why commissioners are pushing parents -- particularly those with 11- and 12-year-old girls -- to get it.
Chairman Tom Ellis says most insurance companies will cover what is admittedly a hefty price for the shots.
"$360, although it may sound like a lot -- if it prevents one case of cancer, it is just a minimal cost."
The county will provide free shots at their three clinics in Norristown, Pottstown and Willow Grove.
Some suggest the vaccine might prompt teenaged girls to become sexually active, but County Commissioner James Matthews doesn’t share that view:
"We don’t look at this as an endorsement at all of this behavior. But we’re not going to be held hostage to that. We’re going to provide this life-saving vaccine."
The state of Texas recently mandated these shots for young girls, and officials here believe it might be a good idea for Pennsylvania to do the same.
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