Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9289

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Coombes R.
Human papillomavirus vaccine: Life saving treatment or giant experiment?
BMJ 2007 Apr 7; 334:(7596):721-723
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7596/721

Abstract:

Many countries are considering mass vaccination of young girls, but Rebecca Coombes reports that proposals for mandatory immunisation in the US have raised concerns, and not just among religious conservatives.

A vaccine that promises protection against a common female cancer-what could possibly be controversial about that? Plenty, if the vaccine in question targets a sexually transmitted infection that causes 70% of cervical cancers and, to be most effective, should be given to girls as young as 10 before they become sexually active.1

The vaccine is Merck’s Gardasil, which protects against four strains of human papillomavirus: types 16 and 18, responsible for 70% of all cervical cancers, and types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of cases of genital warts.1 Three injections provide protection for at least five years, but the vaccine is expensive at about $360 (£185; 280) a shot.

The vaccine is undoubtedly set to be a blockbuster product for Merck. Twenty US states are considering bills that would make the immunisation a requirement for school attendance, which could net Merck billions of dollars.2 With a . . .

Global reach

Safety concerns