WellPoint Inc. says it will cover the Gardasil human papilloma virus vaccine for girls and women in company plans that offer vaccination benefits.
The American Cancer Society, Atlanta, estimates HPV causes 10,000 cases of invasive cervical cancer and 3,700 deaths each year.
The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice ruled Thursday that doctors should administer the vaccine to most girls ages 11 and 12 and consider offering the vaccine to other girls who are as young as 9 as well as girls and women ages 13 to 26.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services still must review the advisory panel's recommendations and make a formal recommendation.
But WellPoint, Indianapolis, a carrier that provides or administers health coverage for 34 million U.S. residents, says its medical necessity decisions regarding use of Gardasil will reflect ACIP recommendations.
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