CDC Issues HPV Vaccine Recommendations (3/14/07)
The following letter was issued March 12 by the CDC Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.
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Dear Colleagues:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States; an estimated 6.2 million persons are newly infected every year. Although the majority of these infections cause no symptoms, persistent genital HPV infection can cause cervical cancer in girls and women and other types of anogenital cancers and genital warts in both men and women.
In June 2006, the HPV vaccine (GARDASIL TM, manufactured by Merck and Co., Inc.) was licensed for use among females aged 9–26 years for prevention of vaccine HPV-type–related cervical cancer, cervical cancer precursors, vaginal and vulvar cancer precursors, and anogenital warts.
This month, CDC released recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the HPV vaccine in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) [Early release/March 12, 2007/Vol. 56]. These recommendations represent the first statement by the ACIP on the use of the HPV vaccine, which was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 8, 2006. The report summarizes the epidemiology of HPV and associated diseases, describes the licensed HPV vaccine, and provides recommendations for its use for vaccination among females aged 9–26 years in the United States. The full MMWR report is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/ .
In the United States, cervical cancer prevention and control programs have reduced the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths through cervical screening, which can detect precancerous lesions. The HPV vaccine will not eliminate the need for cervical cancer screening in the United States because not all HPV types that cause cervical cancer are included in the vaccine. Therefore, all women receiving the HPV vaccine should continue to receive regular cervical cancer screening (Pap tests) according to established screening recommendations.
With regards to the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
(NBCCEDP):
The HPV vaccine does not directly impact current program activities. Nor does it impact current cervical cancer screening recommendations. Additionally, NBCCEDP funds are not authorized for reimbursement of the HPV vaccine.
Representatives from Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions may be asked questions about the HPV vaccine and should be prepared to answer inquiries from the public, health care providers, and others associated with Comprehensive Cancer Control programs.
More specific information and recommendations about the HPV vaccine are available from CDC at the following sources:
The Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/std/hpv
The National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/hpv/hpv-faqs.htm
The Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/reducing_risk.htm
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
www.cdc.gov/nip/ACIP/default.htm
Page last updated 03/14/2007
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