The St. Mary’s County Health Department will be holding a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Clinic for the public, Tuesday, April 20, from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Health Department, 21580 Peabody Street, in Leonardtown.
The Center for Disease Control reports HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. There are about 40 types of HPV. About 20 million people in the U.S. are infected, and about 6.2 million more get infected each year. HPV is important mainly because it can cause cervical cancer in women. Every year in the U.S. about 10,000 women get cervical cancer and about 3,700 die from it.
HPV vaccine is an inactivated vaccine that protects against 4 major types of HPV. Protection from HPV vaccine is expected to be long-lasting. HPV vaccine is given as a 3-dose series over a six month period. The vaccine will be given free of charge plus a $20 administration fee. No one will be denied service for inability to pay.
The clinic will be open to St. Mary’s County female residents, ages 11 to 26 years. A parent or guardian is required for females under the age of 18 years. Contact the Health Department at (301) 475-4316 to schedule an appointment or for more information.