Young women are being urged to get immunised against cervical cancer before the end of the year or risk being charged $500 to get vaccinated.
Females aged 20 and 21 are eligible for free doses of Gardasil, but only if they get their first jab in the next fortnight, Ministry of Health chief advisor Api Talemaitoga has warned.
The vaccine, given in three doses, protects women from the strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) which cause most cervical cancer and genital warts.
The jabs have been targeted at younger women, but have also been made available to this older age group after studies showed it could offer some protection from the cancer and warts to those who have already become sexually active.
Dr Talemaitoga said women who get their first jab before December 31 can organise to have their follow-ups for free in the new year. Otherwise, they may have to pay $500 to have it done privately.
The cut-off date does not apply to younger women, he says.
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