Missouri Southern is doing its part to educate and protect its female students against the Human Papillomavirus, more commonly known as HPV.

Gardasil is a relatively new vaccine that protects women ages 9 to 26 from HPV, the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. Almost 20 million people in the U.S. are infected, with 6.2 million more becoming infected each year, according to the CDC.

Although HPV often goes undetected and doesn’t cause any problems, women are encouraged to get vaccinated because the virus can cause cervical cancer. Thirty-seven percent of women who have cervical cancer die from it.

“Basically, my reason for getting the Gardasil shot was to protect myself,” said Samantha Cosby, sophomore secondary education major. “If I can simply get three shots to protect myself from a cancer-causing virus, I’ll get them.”

According to the Food and Drug administration, the vaccine prevents four major types of HPV, including two types that cause 70 percent of cervical cancer and two that cause almost 90 percent of genital warts. The virus is spread by any type of sexual contact.

“Your sexual partners, especially on a college campus are not always truthful,” said Lauren Bates, senior marketing major. “This is sort of a shield, however tiny it may be.

“I have high hopes that the male population will also receive an inoculation against HPV, because they actually are more likely to be a carrier but not affected like a female is.”

The fair at Southern is part of an $11 million initiative by the Missouri Foundation for Health to vaccinate women in the state for free.

“Insurance won’t pay for the vaccine. If you have to pay for it out of pocket, it can be close to $800 for the three doses,” says Ally Pace, clinic manager for family planning. “This is one of those opportunities that women need to take up.”

Pace also said that if anyone misses the fair at Southern, they can go to the Family Planning Clinic at 302 Joplin Street. The clinic will continue giving the vaccine for free until Dec. 31, and anyone given their first dose by that date are guaranteed the next two shots.

For girls who are too afraid of needles to get the shot, Alyssa LeDeux, sophomore criminal justice major, says that the sting is well worth the reward.

“It’s important to your well being and if three shots can prevent cancer for the cost of a little pain, I say get over it and do something that’s good for yourself.”