This week a study was released by the company that makes Gardasil, a vaccine that protects against cervical cancer. The findings suggest the drug is even more effective than previously thought.
The vaccine, manufactured by Merck, had formerly been thought to only protect against 70 percent of cervical cancer caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV). The new research indicates however that it may also have at least some effect against viral strains that cause the other 30 percent.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Eighty percent of sexually active
When The Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil, the Centers for Disease Control's immunization committee recommended less than a month later that the shots immediately be given to all females between the ages of 9 and 26. The committee acted on data indicating that the vaccine works best before girls are sexually active.
This recommendation incited a national moral and social debate. Health advocates aggressively urged the use of the shots to prevent thousands of malignancies, while social conservatives felt that by making the immunization available to teens, would encourage sexual promiscuity. Merck was also called into question. Consumer advocates argued that the cost of Gardasil, at $360 for each shot series, was forcing Merck to push the drug for profit, and not acting in the best interest of young women.
In an effort to defuse the controversy, last February Merck issued the statement, "We are pleased that Gardasil has been so widely embraced and do not want any misperception about Merck's role to distract from the ultimate goal of fighting cervical cancer, so Merck has re-evaluated its approach at the state level and we will not lobby for school requirements for Gardasil."
While I understand the many concerns expressed about the drug, I believe the HPV vaccine does not promote promiscuity, but protects women's health. It will be interesting to see what communication strategy Merck uses to frame their new findings and reshape how the drug is perceived.
Sources: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/20/health/main3280750.shtml
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070326/houppert
Photo Source: http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2007/02/02/gardasil-cp-2380136.jpg
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