FDA OKs New HPV Vaccine

With the rampant widespread problem of HPV in women and men the FDA oks new HPV vaccine called cervarix. Statistics show that 80% of women are infected with HPV by the time they reach 50 years of age and at least 50% of men who are sexually active are infected. There are two vaccines on the market currently: Gardasil and Cervarix.

With the approval of two vaccines the question is which HPV vaccine to use: Gardasil or Cervarix? Although Gardasil and Cervarix are both HPV vaccines they are not the same. Cervarix is designed to prevent infection by HPV types 16 and 18. HPV types 16 and 18 cause 70% of all cervical cancer cases. Type 16 is also associated with throat cancer. Gardasil vaccinates people from HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. HPV types 6 and 11 are known to cause genital warts. It seems on the surface that Gardasil would be the HPV vaccine of choice because it vaccinates against four types of HPV rather than two. But the reason the question which HPV vaccine to use: Gardasil or Cervarix still resonates in people’s minds is because of the Gardasil controversy that has caused 32 deaths throughout the country.

As the FDA oks new HPV vaccine Cervarix you’ll likely see many people switch to Cervarix because of the Gardasil controversy. So many people feel the answer to the question which HPV vaccine to use: Gardasil or Cervarix is Cervarix because it is potentially much safer. As the FDA oks new HPV vaccine medications it may be best to wait until there are more than two options to choose from.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.