Take Care offers HPV vaccine at Walgreens in Chicago

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. Take Care Health Clinics announced on Tuesday that is now offering the Human Papillomavirus vaccine at 20 Chicagoland clinics in Walgreens.

The Gardasil vaccine is a three-dose series vaccine administered over six months. It is available for females aged 11 to 26.

"By giving consumers a choice to receive the HPV vaccine at a Take Care Health Clinic in a professional, convenient setting, we hope to increase access to high-quality, affordable health care and to lead in the fight against cervical cancer in Chicago," stated Sandra F. Ryan, Take Care Health chief nurse practitioner officer.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States, with more than 20 million people infected as of 2005 and 6.2 million more infected every year. When the virus is active, it can develop into cervical cancer and other conditions depending on the HPV type. Gardasil has been shown to be effective in preventing four strains of HPV, including two that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer.

Not all insurance plans cover the vaccine and levels of coverage can vary within plans. If a patient is planning to submit payment for the vaccine through insurance, they must first call (866) Take-Care to speak with a representative to determine insurance coverage. To ensure continued coverage, the patient must also call to verify eligibility before receiving each of the remaining two doses.

For uninsured patients or cash payers, the vaccine is $165 per does, or $495 for the total treatment series.