health
HPV shots may be reducible, study says
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 26, 2011
Fewer than three doses of the human papillomavirus vaccine Cervarix may be as effective as a three-dose regimen to prevent cervical cancer, says a study published Sept. 9 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. At present, the vaccine is given in three doses over six months.
Researchers analyzed data on more than 7,100 women enrolled in the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Costa Rica Vaccine Trial. They found similar levels of protection against HPV16 and HPV18 among women who received one, two or three doses of the vaccine (link).
The study authors said it remains to be seen whether fewer than three doses will provide protection for longer than the four years that the study examined.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/09/26/hlbf0926.htm.
