Cervical Cancer Vaccine Will Most Likely Get FDA Approval
Friday May 19, 2006
Gardasil, the cervical cancer vaccine manufactured by Merck, will most likely get FDA approval. A federal advisory panel gave it's recommendation for approval to the FDA Thursday.
The vaccine protects against four strains of HPV that are responsible for the development of cervical cancer. HPV is a virus that is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. With over 20 million people in the U.S. affected, it is by far the most common sexually transmitted disease.
Here is the catch: Gardasil is most effective between girls ages 9-13 and will be recommended for girls ages 11-13. While it is the goal of every parent to act in the best interest in the child, will parents give the go-ahead to have their daughter's to be vaccinated? For many it is a moral issue, believing it sends the message that sex is okay.
Another drawback is the cost. At $500 for vaccination, Gardasil presents major funding issues for public health offices and insurance carriers. The injection is also given in three visits, which could really inhibit many from getting the full vaccine.
The CDC is scheduled to meet on June 29 and the issue of making it a mandatory vaccination for all females in the targeted age group may be on the agenda. I find it hard to believe that it would be ruled a mandatory vaccine with the cost being so high. Until Merck can bring the cost down, I believe it will only be voluntary. We'll see this summer when the CDC meets.
Considering there a hundreds of strains of the HPV virus and Gardasil only protects against four of them, regular cervical cancer screening is still necessary. The Pap smear still remains the best defense women have against the disease.
It is also advised that women who are pregnant should not get the vaccine because of the possible birth defects.
Poll: Will you allow your daughter to receive the cervical cancer vaccine?
The vaccine protects against four strains of HPV that are responsible for the development of cervical cancer. HPV is a virus that is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. With over 20 million people in the U.S. affected, it is by far the most common sexually transmitted disease.
Here is the catch: Gardasil is most effective between girls ages 9-13 and will be recommended for girls ages 11-13. While it is the goal of every parent to act in the best interest in the child, will parents give the go-ahead to have their daughter's to be vaccinated? For many it is a moral issue, believing it sends the message that sex is okay.
Another drawback is the cost. At $500 for vaccination, Gardasil presents major funding issues for public health offices and insurance carriers. The injection is also given in three visits, which could really inhibit many from getting the full vaccine.
The CDC is scheduled to meet on June 29 and the issue of making it a mandatory vaccination for all females in the targeted age group may be on the agenda. I find it hard to believe that it would be ruled a mandatory vaccine with the cost being so high. Until Merck can bring the cost down, I believe it will only be voluntary. We'll see this summer when the CDC meets.
Considering there a hundreds of strains of the HPV virus and Gardasil only protects against four of them, regular cervical cancer screening is still necessary. The Pap smear still remains the best defense women have against the disease.
It is also advised that women who are pregnant should not get the vaccine because of the possible birth defects.
Poll: Will you allow your daughter to receive the cervical cancer vaccine?
Comments
There is talk of making this vaccine mandatory for school attendance. That is a terrible greedy idea on the part of Merck. There is no reason for that other than to line Merck’s pockets. It is not a disease that can be caught in the classroom through airborne transmission or casual contact.
There are risks, even though very small, to every vaccine. No one should be required to submit to those risks for a behavioral based disease. One reason is the possible link between the mercury that was used in vaccines and the rise in autism. There are always unknown (and known) risks to vaccines.
On the other hand, insurance companies should be required to cover the cost of the vaccine for those that want it.
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.