What if I’m underinsured or uninsured?
Vaccinating adults: In May 2006, Merck added Gardasil to its Patient Assistance Program— great news for anyone who is uninsured or unable to afford the vaccine. Merck’s Patient Assistance Program allows adults (ages 19 and older) to receive free vaccinations of Gardasil. The snags are this: You must find a doctor who normally provides Merck vaccines to their patients, and they must work in a private practice. You must also fill out a form stating your need, and the doctor’s office will then fax your form to Merck for approval. The standard turnaround time for approval is about 10 minutes, so, in theory, you can fill out your form and receive your shot in the same visit. Vaccinating children: In November 2006, the CDC added Gardasil to its Vaccines for Children Program. This means that Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured and Native American girls ages 9 to 18 can now receive Gardasil vaccinations free of charge. More than 45,000 sites across the country provide this service, incl
