FDA OKs first cervical cancer vaccine

[Guest guest]

" Analysts' estimates for annual sales range from $1.6 billion to $4

billion, with the high estimate assuming that some states will

require mandatory vaccination. "

Mandatory vaccine in some states??

Over my dead body...not for my daughter.

FDA OKs first cervical cancer vaccine

From Christy

CNN

Thursday, June 8, 2006; Posted: 3:09 p.m. EDT (19:09 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on

Thursday approved the first vaccine for cervical cancer -- Gardasil,

manufactured by Merck and Co.

Studies show virtually all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a

virus known as human papillomavirus, or HPV. It is transmitted

sexually and most of the time human immune systems can get rid of

it, but in about 10,000 women a year it develops into cervical

cancer.

There are more than 70 different types of HPV. Dr. Ault of

Emory University School of Medicine, who led one of the clinical

trials, said this vaccine protects against four of them, but they

are the four most significant.

" These are the four medically most important types, " he said. " Two

of the types -- 16 and 18 -- are responsible for about 70 percent of

cervical cancer and then the other two -- six and 11-- are

responsible for about 90 percent of genital warts, " Ault said.

Every year cervical cancer kills nearly 4,000 women in the United

States. Ault says this could change that.

" If everyone would get the vaccine and the vaccine would work as

well as it has in the trials, you might get up to a 70 percent

reduction in cervical cancer, " he said.

The American Cancer Society hailed the approval as " one of the most

important advances in women's health in recent years. " If the

federal vaccine advisory panel recommends Gardasil's regular use,

the ACS said, it will work to promote public awareness and encourage

women to continue getting regular Pap tests.

Gardasil is expected to be available late this summer, according to

Merck.

The vaccine does not protect against existing HPV infections but

will protect against future infections.

The FDA is approving the vaccine for women between the ages of 9 and

26. It was not tested in women older than 26. Later this month an

advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

will decide on its recommendation for who should get the vaccine.

The vaccine is made up of three shots to be given over a six-month

period. Merck says it will cost $120 per dose. The company says it

has created a program to provide the shots for free to adults who

are uninsured or unable to afford them.

Analysts' estimates for annual sales range from $1.6 billion to $4

billion, with the high estimate assuming that some states will

require mandatory vaccination.