To the Editor: Wain’s criticism of the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval of the bivalent vaccine, Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline), suggesting it did not adhere to World Health Organization guidelines,1 should not detract from the potential benefits of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in women over 26 years of age.
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- Oncology and Dysplasia Unit, Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.
Correspondence: jeff.tan@thewomens.org.au
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- 3. Dunne EF, Unger ER, Sternberg M, et al. Prevalence of HPV infection among females in the United States. JAMA 2007; 297: 813-819.
- 4. Luna J. The safety, efficacy and immunogenicity of quadrivalent HPV (types 6/11/16/18) L1 virus-like-particle (VLP) vaccine in women aged 24 to 45. Proceedings of the 24th International Papillomavirus Conference and Clinical Workshop; 2007 Nov 3-9; Beijing, China.
- 5. Markowitz LE, Dunne EF, Saraiya M, et al. Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep 2007; 56 (RR02): 1-24. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5602a1.htm (accessed Aug 2008).
- 6. The Hon Tony Abbott MHR, Minister for Health and Ageing. PBAC advice on GARDASIL [media release]. 8 Nov 2006. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/487014123B6EBBA1CA25723 4008126EC/$File/abb155.pdf (accessed Aug 2008).
- 7. The Hon Tony Abbott MHR, Minister for Health and Ageing. Government funds Gardasil [media release]. 29 Nov 2006. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/487014123B6EBBA1CA257 234008126EC/$File/abb155.pdf (accessed Aug 2008).
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