Human papilloma virus and human papilloma virus vaccines

Abstract

The main purpose behind the development of HPV vaccines was to prevent cervical cancers. Gardasil vaccine, manufactured by Merck Company, called a quadrivalent vaccine because it protects against four HPV types; 6, 11, 16 and 18. FDA has approved Gardasil for use in females for the prevention of cervical cancer and some vulvar and vaginal cancers caused by HPV types 16 and 18 and for use in males and females for prevention of genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. Cervarix manufactured by GalaxoSmithkline (GSK) Company, called a bivalent vaccine because it targets two HPV types: 16 and 18. FDA approved Cervarix for use in females for prevention of cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18. Neither of both vaccines has been proven to provide complete protection against other HPV types and about 30 percent of cervical cancers will not be prevented by these vaccines. Because both vaccines don’t protect against all HPV infections that cause cervical cancer, it is important for vaccinated women to continue the cervical cancer screening program as for women who have not been vaccinated.