TRICARE Benefit Covers New Vaccine

Week of February 26, 2007

TRICARE wants its beneficiaries to know the new Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls and young women is a TRICARE covered benefit. Because the vaccine is new, it may not be available everywhere. Interested beneficiaries or their parents should contact their doctors to find out if they administer the HPV vaccine. Also, the new vaccine does not protect against every type of HPV infection and cannot prevent all cervical cancers. So getting vaccinated does not eliminate the need for screening pap smears, or reduce the importance of regular gynecological exams. For more on vaccination schedules, view the Immunization PDF.

To learn more about TRICARE, visit www.military.com/benefits/tricare.