Posted on the Pediatric Supersite,
20 November 2010
NEW YORK CITY – More than 100 countries have now licensed one or both of the approved HPV vaccines for females aged 9 to 26 years. According to a speaker here at the 23rd Annual Infectious Diseases in Children Symposium, held in New York City, the HPV vaccine shows good data for cancer prevention not only in females, but in males as well.
Kenneth Alexander, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics and Chief, Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases of the University of Chicago presented a discussion making the case for HPV immunization in both males and females.
Alexander reminded physicians that as of October 2009, there are two ACIP-recommended vaccines for females aged 9 to 26 years. HPV4 (Gardasil, Merck) has been approved for prevention of cervical, vaginal and vulvar malignancies, dysplasias, and warts due to HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18, as well as HPV2 (Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline) for the prevention of cervical malignancies and dysplasias due to HPV 16 and 18.
“As time goes on, data for supporting the use of these vaccines are just getting stronger and stronger. The vaccines work, they’re safe, and their benefits appear to be worth the costs,” said Alexander.
(Note from SaneVax: We would like to know how Dr. Alexander can say the vaccine works when there will be no proof for over 10 more years. No vaccine is safe for everyone–who is Gardasil safe for? What benefit do American consumers obtain from Gardasil, when regular screening has reduced the incidence of invasive cervical cancer by 74% already and continues to reduce the rates in those who participate in good gynecological care? What scientific evidence is there to prove it will be beneficial to the male population?)
Leave a Reply