One dose of HPV vaccine may be enough, says Australian study

According to a new study, a dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has an effectiveness comparable to that of two or three doses for the prevention of pre-cervical cancer.

In a large national study on data linkage published in Papillomavirus research, the researchers compared the results of cervical cancer screening among 250,000 Australian women eligible for immunization as part of the national program.

The researchers found that in vaccinated women at a young age, while most of them had not yet been exposed to HPV, receiving a dose of the HPV vaccine reduced the risk Precancerous lesion detected during cervical cancer screening.

Lead author Julia Brotherton of the VCS Foundation and the University of Melbourne said that this data added to other evidence that was beginning to appear that a dose of HPV vaccine could eventually be sufficient to protection.

"If a single dose of vaccine proves sufficient, it will really simplify our ability to protect more people from these carcinogenic viruses," said Associate Professor Brotherton.

"This could make a huge difference, especially in resource-poor countries that currently have high rates of cervical cancer but currently can not afford vaccination or screening."

However, Associate Professor Brotherton pointed out that until formal test results are introduced and recommendations are changed, young people need to ensure that they have completed the immunization program. two doses currently in place for optimal protection.

"The HPV vaccine has proven very safe and remarkably effective," said Associate Professor Brotherton.

"We are proud that Australia is providing data from our world-leading program to enrich the factual data on this problem."

Immunization is a key element of the World Health Organization's recent call to work towards the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, as well as HIV-based screening. HPV, early diagnosis and treatment facilities and palliative care.

In Australia, the National Immunization Program systematically offers HPV vaccination to girls and boys at the beginning of secondary school between 12 and 13 years of age. A free catch-up program is offered up to 19 years through local doctors and clinics.

As in Australia, most countries are now only beginning to be able to badess the impact of the vaccine on the results of routine vaccination screening of girls at the usual target age rather than among young women who are already badually active before vaccination.

Recent data from Denmark and the United States also suggest the possibility of a sufficient dose, but randomized trial results are expected before official recommendations are changed.

The data were badyzed by a team of researchers from the VCS Foundation, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and by the ACT, NT, Tasmania, Cervix and Cervical Cancer Screening Program Managers. Victoria and Western Australia.