Cervical cancer vaccine may get OK

[dogday]

FDA panel also to decide if young girls to have shots

WASHINGTON -- Federal advisers are expected to recommend today whether the Food and Drug Administration should approve a vaccine against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer, and whether it should be given to girls as young as 9 years old.

A Mayo Clinic doctor said the vaccine, Gardasil, is the most important advance in the fight against cervical cancer in 50 years. Merck & Co., its maker, says Gardasil offers optimum protection when girls are inoculated before they become sexually active.

Prevention is ''the ultimate goal in the war on cancer," said Dr. Bobbie Gostout, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Mayo Clinic. ''While Pap smears are wonderful, this is the first time we can talk about prevention before any disease is established."

Though analysts say the advisory panel is certain to support the vaccine and that FDA approval of its use in the United States is likely, it is unclear whether the panel and agency will side with Merck's age recommendation. A Centers for Disease Control committee advises vaccinating girls starting at age 11.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/05/18/cervical_cancer_vaccine_may_get_ok/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Front+Page

[SmokingJacket]

1. It had damn well better. nt

[meegbear]

2. And the RW douche bags are fighting against it. Why?

Because if girls get the shot, they may become ... promiscuous! Better they die from cancer than risk pre-marital sex.

[Minnesota Libra]

3. You sure those neocon idiots will allow anything benefiting women?? nt

[Iniquitous Bunny]

4. They give Hep B vaccines to newborns.

What would be the difference here? Hep B is something transmitted through contact with blood and through sex that a newborn isn't even at risk for.

Since HPV is more problematic for females, I guess that has something to with it in the eyes of opposing moralists. :shrug:

[wakeme2008]

5. Things like this I enjoy watching

:popcorn:

Fundies VS the Big Drug company(s).

[NashVegas]

6. I Gotta Give Major Kudos

To whatever organization is paying for those, "you mean cervical cancer is caused by a VIRUS??!?!" commercials/PSAs.

Very smart way to roll out the campaign. First, inform people of the virus. Raise awareness. Beat the fundies before they can get in the game.

[MercutioATC]

7. Does this vaccine not work on males??

It's my understanding that it's not a "cervical cancer" vaccine, but an HPV vaccine (HPV can cause cervical cancer).

Males get HPV too, and can transmit it to women. Unless it's some bizarre gender-specific vaccine, wouldn't it be wise to give it to men too?

[myrna minx]

8. I can't believe that in the land of the "free"

anyone would consider NOT releasing this vaccine.