The FDA Advisory Committee unanimously recommended that Gardasil, a vaccine that protects women against 70% of cervical cancers, should be approved. The FDA usually goes along with what the Advisory Committee recommends. The vote, in favour, was 13-0. The FDA is expected to make a final decision regarding approval on June 8.

Gardasil blocks two types of human papillomavirus (HPV), types 16 and 18. These cause 70% of cervical cancers. Merck, the makers of Gardasil, says the vaccine could save nearly 200,000 women’s lives globally each year. Nearly 300,000 women die each year as a result of cervical cancer.

Gardasil is not cheap. At $300 to $500 for a course of three shots over six months, many countries will not be able to offer nationwide vaccination campaigns without outside help.

Gardasil also protects women against two other HPV types which are responsible for 90% of all genital warts. All four HPV types are sexually transmitted.

It is estimated that about half of all sexually active adults are infected with HPV.

Dr. Monica Farley, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, and also a member of the Advisory Panel, said Gardasil is ?certainly a wonderful, good step in addition to our screening processes.’

Initially, there was some opposition to Gardasil. Many felt that young girls who had been vaccinated might be encouraged to become sexually active at a younger age. However, when people realised how many lives Gardasil could save, opposition dwindled.

Merck says Gardasil is the biggest leap in cervical cancer prevention since the pap test. The company also stressed that the vaccine should not replace screening.

Ideally, says Merck, the vaccine should be given to girls before they are sexually active.

For people who are already infected with HPV, taking the vaccine can raise their risk of having precursors to cervical cancer. There are also five cases of women who had the vaccine during the time of conception who went on to have babies with birth defects. Merck says it is highly unlikely the birth defects were linked to Gardasil.

The vaccine has been tested on 27,000 males and females, of which 250 were nine years old.

Merck would like the vaccine to be given to girls as young as nine.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today