Study shows benefits of HPV 6 and 11 vacc

New UK research suggests that vaccinating against human papillomavirus types 6 and 11, in addition to 16 and 18, would provide wide-ranging health benefits and improve the cost effectiveness of immunization programs worldwide. A model of the dynamics of HPV infection, developed by Elbasha et al, indicates that 99% of all cases of HPV disease and 98% of the associated treatment costs, avoided during the five-year period following vaccination are due to the prevention of HPV-6 and 11-related cervical lesions and genital warts.

The UK Health Protection Agency said that the findings, which were unveiled at this year's meeting of the European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia in Monte Carlo, Monaco, were a "valuable addition to our understanding of human papilloma virus infection in women in England and should contribute to effective policies to prevent genital warts and cervical cancer." The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, which advises the UK government, is meeting on October 17 to discuss whether or not to recommend the inclusion of vaccination against HPV strains 6 and 11 in the country's immunization strategy.

Sanofi Pasteur MSD, the Merck & Co and Sanofi-Aventis joint venture which markets the HPV vaccine Gardasil (quadrivalent human papilloma virus [types 6, 11, 16, 18]), welcomed the announcement. Patrick Poirot, the company's vice president for medical and scientific affairs, echoed the importance of preventing the broadest possible range of HPV infections, adding that, in trials, Gardasil, which is the only currently approved vaccine to protect against all four virus types, blocked nearly 98% of early cervical lesions and 99% of genital warts associated with HPVs 6 and 11.