alent vaccine, Gardasil®, protects against four HPV types (6,11,16,18), which are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. On June 29, 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend use of this vaccine in females, ages 9-26 years.
This prophylactic vaccine, made from non-infectious HPV-like particles (VLP), offers a promising new approach to the prevention of HPV and associated conditions. However, this vaccine will not replace other prevention strategies since it will not work for all genital HPV types.
Provisional HPV Vaccine Recommendations
Currently, there is no test available for clinical use to determine whether a female has had any or all of the four HPV types in the vaccine.
HPV Vaccine Safety
HPV Vaccine Efficacy
Duration of Vaccine Protection
The duration of vaccine protection is unclear. Current studies (with five-year followup) indicate that the vaccine is effective for at least five years. There is no evidence of waning immunity during that time period. This information will be updated as additional data regarding duration of immunity become available.
HPV Vaccine Delivery (Provisional Recommendations)
HPV Vaccine Cost
Cost Effectiveness of HPV Vaccine
Published cost-effectiveness studies of HPV vaccination suggest that the cost per quality-adjusted life year (or QALY) saved due to vaccination against HPV types 16 and 18 would be in the $15,000 to $25,000 range per QALY. These published estimates were calculated without including the benefits of preventing HPV types 6 and 11. If such benefits were included, the cost effectiveness of vaccination would appear more favorable.
Both the impact and cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination were estimated assuming that vaccination occurs in addition to current cervical cancer screening programs in the U.S.
Policies for HPV Vaccination
There are no federal laws requiring immunization of children with HPV vaccine. School and childcare entry laws for all immunizations are state laws and vary from state to state.
Other Vaccines in Development
A bivalent HPV vaccine is in the final stages of clinical testing in females. This vaccine would protect against the two types of HPV (16,18) that cause 70% of cervical cancers.
Our thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the use of this article.
Experts discuss human papillomavirus and how to prevent it on PKIDs’ Blog.
PKIDs' new website for girls combines health information with fun, gossip, games, and prizes. Check it out now!
Help us spread the word about HPV prevention! Visit our button and banner page to download some images for use on your own site.
Important disclaimer: The information on pkids.org is for educational purposes only and should not be considered to be medical advice. It is not meant to replace the advice of the physician who cares for your child. All medical advice and information should be considered to be incomplete without a physical exam, which is not possible without a visit to your doctor.
Information is the power
parents have over disease.