Merck's Gardasil moves one step closer to licensure

There's news this week about Merck's HPV vaccine, Gardasil. The headline is that an FDA committee, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, voted unanimously that Gardasil is safe and effective at preventing precancerous lesions in the cervix and genital warts caused by the four HPV subtypes included in the vaccine. The group recommends that the FDA license the vaccine, a decision expected to be made by June 8.

This news isn't much of a surprise, as the data for the vaccine's safety and effectiveness are clear. Also, it should be noted that this committee's findings are not binding, though the FDA's actions typically mirror such recommendations.

Here's an AP story on the announcement and Merck's news release. Also worth reading is this Boston Globe story, which highlights the need for continued cervical cancer screening and the ongoing debate over the benefits of vaccinating boys.

Lots of reaction pieces, including this one in the Los Angeles Times which quotes representatives from the Family Research Council and discusses the procedures for implementing state requirements for vaccination. This story on the Houston Chronicle's website includes reaction from Focus on the Family. Also, here's a statement from the president of Planned Parenthood.

(Those interested might want to explore our previous posts on HPV vaccines: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.)