Young Girls Could Be in Line for Vaccine to Stop Cervical Cancer

Next month, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to decide on whether to grant Merck & Co. a license to market its vaccine that targets the two strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) linked to genital warts and cervical cancer.

Because HPV can spread quickly among teenagers once they become sexually active, vaccine proponents say it should be given to preteen girls, and potentially boys as well. "I don't know how you argue against a vaccine that prevents cancer," pediatrician David I. Bernstein of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center said after addressing the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases in Baltimore on May 9.

Some social conservatives have expressed concern that vaccinating youths could send a message that teen sex is safe and acceptable. But that opposition appears to be softening, and many conservative groups now say they support FDA approval provided vaccination is not required for school admission, a decision usually made by states.

Dr. Gene Rudd, a Tennessee obstetrician-gynecologist who is associate director of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, said, "We're health professionals. Where there are diseases out there, the only reasonable way you can protect individuals and society is to be immunized."

Most observers expect FDA will approve the HPV vaccine. If that happens, a group that advises CDC will make specific recommendations about who should be vaccinated.

Back to other news for May 15, 2006