Uterine cancer is the 8th most common cancer in women. This disease develops when papillomaviruses form lesions on the cervix. There are now two vaccines to mitigate this risk.
These two vaccines, administered in three doses, are primarily intended for 14-year-old girls, before the onset of their sexual life. However, it is also recommended for girls up to 23 years old under certain conditions. The cost is therefore covered at 65% by health insurance, and the remainder is covered by supplementary health insurance. However, to ensure the measure is completely free, the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes has committed to funding the vaccines for girls who do not have supplementary health insurance. Thus, “the cost can no longer be a barrier” for these individuals, according to the General Council.
An important vaccine that concerns you
In 2010, about 6,000 girls will reach the age of 14 in the department. They will therefore be affected by this measure. Thirty percent of these adolescents do not benefit from supplementary health insurance. The gratuity scheme implemented in the Alpes-Maritimes will thus concern 1,800 girls.
For this campaign, the General Council has partnered with the departmental councils of the Orders of physicians and pharmacists, as well as the health insurance organizations of the department. All families that could participate in this action will start receiving information letters from March 2010. Depending on their birth month, the girls born in 1996 will receive a voucher to give to pharmacists.
For 130 vaccines administered, it has been proven that one case of cervical cancer was prevented. It is therefore a campaign that should not be ignored. Check with your general practitioner and do not take this lightly!
