Posts Tagged ‘gardasil’

The FDA recently announced the approval of a second HPV vaccine for the U.S. market. Cervarix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is the sole competitor to rival vaccine Gardasil, produced by Merck & Co. The vaccines differ in the strains of HPV they guard against, but both will fight the two most common strains that cause 70% of cervical cancers. At the same time, however, the FDA also granted approval for Merck’s Gardasil to be used in preventing genital warts (not genital cancer) in boys and men ages 9 through 26. But, do our children need yet another vaccine? You be the judge. Both vaccines are expected to net their respective companies over $1 billion per year in the coming years. [via ABC News]

Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

Simone Davis, a 17 year-old British girl has been denied US permanent residency because she refused to take the Gardasil vaccine, which protects against a few strains of HPV and reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Since 2008, the US government has required that female immigrants between the ages of 11 to 26 applying for permanent residency or refugee status receive Gardasil, which was approved by the FDA in 2006. According to the 1996 Immigration and Naturalization Act girls and women within a specified age group must receive vaccinations against certain specified diseases “and any other vaccinations recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. Said Davis, “I am only 17 years old and planning to go to college and not have sex anytime soon. There is no chance of getting cervical cancer, so there’s no point in getting the shot.” A devout Christian, Simone has taken a virginity pledge and plans to attend Pensacola Christian College, where she was conditionally accepted, pending her legal status. The vaccine is not mandated for girls or women who are already legal US residents. [via ABC News]

Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

Since the introduction of their Gardasil vaccine (marketed for the prevention of cervical cancer in women), pharmaceutical giant Merck has been wanting to expand the vaccine’s use to include males. Currently, the vaccine is approved for use in girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26. If Merck has its way Gardasil will be used in boys and men ages 9 to 26 as well. In documents posted online, the FDA said the vaccine prevented genital warts in males 90 percent of the time. Based on this the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is supporting the use of Gardasil in males. However, it is unlikely that the use of the vaccine will prevent a significant amount of penile and anal cancers, compared with cervical cancer. Cancer of the penis and anus are extremely rare, with less than 2,000 cases reported annually. Gardasil was approved for women in 2006 and had sales over $1 billion last year. [via CBS News]

Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

British researchers examined historical data for human papilloma virus (HPV)-related cancers and found that the post World War II baby boomer generation saw an increase in these cancers. HPV is an STD that can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Changes in sexual practice and greater exposure to HPV are seen as the most likely cause for these increased rates. Currently, an HPV vaccine called Gardasil is available. It’s routinely recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women ages 13 to 26 who have not yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.

Read more and share your opinion.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases – approximately 50% of sexually active women aged 20 to 24 have it. This is why the 2006 approval of the Gardasil HPV vaccination was met with excitement in the US, especially since some HPV types can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina and vulva. The FDA originally approved Gardasil for the prevention of cervical cancer, but it has now expanded its use for the prevention of vaginal and vulvar cancers as well in girls and women ages 9 to 26. The vaccination is ideally given to women who have not yet become sexually active. However, even those who are sexually active can benefit from the vaccine because it protects against the four most common HPV strains that account for 70% of cervical cancers.  Full story.

Tweet This Share on Facebook