Global HPV Vaccination Called By Physicians

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 20 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Overwhelmingly, physicians around the world recommend girls receive the new HPV vaccine. According to a recent survey by Medimix International (http://www.medimix.net), the global healthcare marketing research company, over 90% of physicians surveyed say they agree that the new HPV vaccine should be administered.

Using the Medimix online panel of physicians, 1,022 General Practitioners in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Australia and Canada were surveyed on their views about HPV vaccine implementation policy in their own countries. This comes on the heal of a similar survey Medimix conducted in the US among 238 physicians completed in March 2007.

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is estimated to affect tens of millions of women around the world. HPV-induced cervical cancer remains the fifth most common cancer in women worldwide. Two strains of this virus account for 70% of all cervical cancers, and two other strains account for 90% of genital warts. These four strains are targeted by the HPV vaccines, Gardasil (made by Merck), and Cervarix (made by GlaxoSmithKline). Recently, the EMEA has approved the HPV vaccine for girls and boys aged 9-15 and women aged 16-26. In the US, the FDA has approved this vaccine for girls only, aged 9-26.

Following a survey of American physicians about this subject, Medimix asked similar questions in the EU, Australia and Canada. Each country has its own legislation regarding administering this vaccine, but the price worldwide remains around US$400 for the full course. In poorer countries, this price is very high for payers, in others, the risks of the disease and the proven benefits of the vaccine are great enough to merit government funded vaccinations of all girls of appropriate age.

The Italian Health Ministry recently announced that the HPV vaccine will be offered free of charge to Italy's 12 year old girl population. Over 85% of physicians throughout the survey answered that their country should follow Italy's example. Only the UK had a slightly lower percentage, though still agreeing, at 80%. When asked if this is an "appropriate use of Italy's healthcare funds", a vast majority of physicians agreed it is. Only Germany had a higher percentage of respondents disagreeing, though still low, at 35%.

In Canada, the price of the vaccine has made many doctors argue that each province should make the decision about its administration. Sixty-four percent of Canadian physicians believe that individual Canadian provinces should have a final say on who receives the vaccine and who pays for it. However, a full 90% of Canadian physicians surveyed answered that paying for this vaccine is "an appropriate use of Canada's healthcare system's funds."

Over 80% of physicians surveyed in both Australia and France answered that they think this vaccine should be mandated by their governments. Germany was the only country recently surveyed whose doctors came down the middle with a little over 50% answering that no, there should not be a mandate. In the earlier survey in the US, only 43% of surveyed physicians responded that the government should mandate the new HPV vaccine.

When asked if they think that the public by itself would agree to have the vaccine administered to enough girls to have a real effect in reducing HPV contraction without a government mandate, 86% of Spanish physicians said "Yes, a strong effect" or "Yes, a moderate effect". Both the UK and France were less positive about reducing HPV contraction without a government mandate; over 40% of British and French physicians said either "No significant effect" or "No effect" at all on HPV contraction.

Seventy-five percent or more of respondents in Germany, Italy and the UK agree that patients and parents should be allowed to opt out of mandated vaccines without having to provide a medical or religious justification. France was the only country whose majority of physicians responded that mandated vaccines should in no way be optional. Thirty-one percent of Canadian physicians answered that it depends on the vaccine.

Australia was the country that is the most adamant about administering the new HPV vaccine. Ninety-nine percent of Australian physicians surveyed report that they would recommend and/or administer this vaccine to their female patients. Canada came in close second, with 97% of respondents supporting administering this vaccine.

A major difference between the HPV vaccine debate in the US and other countries surveyed is in its administration to boys. There are reports that in the UK for example, proof that HPV causes penile and rectal cancers has caused many physicians to vaccinate boys as well as girls. When doctors outside of the US were asked if they think that boys should receive this vaccine, many were torn. Seventy-five percent of Australian physicians surveyed answered that boys should be vaccinated. Sixty-four percent of Spanish physicians also answered yes. Some of the reasons given that boys should be vaccinated include: "Because they [boys] spread HPV as soon as they become sexually active", "Herd immunity", and "Protection against genital warts and ability to spread the infection."

However, in France and the UK, 52% of physicians feel boys should NOT be vaccinated. Reasons given as to why boys shouldn't get the vaccine include: "Not aware of research outcome", "Not enough evidence as yet" and "Too costly at present, no need if bulk of young women are vaccinated."

Most doctors worldwide surveyed agreed that between 12-13 years of age is the right age to vaccinate patients.

About Medimix International

Medimix International is a dynamic provider of advanced marketing research solutions for the healthcare industry worldwide. Medimix's proprietary panel provides direct access to over 500,000 physicians and healthcare professionals from around the world, making it one of the largest panels in the industry. Medimix specializes in global research.

http://www.medimix.net

• Additional
• References
• Citations