Australian Boys To Get HPV Vaccine Gardasil

In a world first, an anti-cancer vaccine usually given to high school girls will be extended to some Australian boys from next year.

Four out of five people are believed to have been exposed to human papilloma virus – HPV – which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. Two vaccines are available to prevent infection by some HPV, Gardasil, marketed by Merck, and Cervarix, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline.

Both protect against initial infection with HPV types 16 and 18 - causing around 70% cervical cancer. However, Gardasil also protects against HPV types 6 and 11 - which cause 90% of genital warts. Most importantly, the Gardasil vaccine is the only vaccine that also protects men against genital warts, anal and throat cancers :: Read the full article »»»»