HPV Vaccine Should Be Covered By HMOs

To the editors:



I thought your article on the recent approval of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was well researched and reported (“A Welcome Pharmaceutical,” editorial, Sept. 26).

Women’s healthcare issues have received far less funding and attention than men’s. You might want to make women aware that there are large HMO organizations that still have not “approved” the use of this vaccine even though it has passed the rigors of the Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control. My daughter was recently immunized and her claim was rejected by a large healthcare organization. They stated that the vaccine was not yet “approved.”

My only comment is that my husband has easy access to Viagra (if he wants it), but I am unable to get my healthcare organization (United Healthcare—who is affiliated with Harvard Pilgrim) to fund the prevention of cervical cancer caused by HPV for my college-age daughter.



EILEEN STORZ-SALINO

Medfield, Mass.

September 26, 2006