Gardasil Found Effective In Older Women

[joreth]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/06/hpv-vaccine-may-benefit-older-women.html

Just yesterday, an article came out announcing the results of a study that say Gardasil is effective for older women.  Not that we didn't already suspect this, but yay! 

Some important factoids from the article:

Gardasil shows 91% effectiveness in women age 25-45 who are not already infected, but that drops to 31% effectiveness when the women did not follow up with all 3 shots.

Merk will release the results of the 4-year study later this year, in an attempt to get approval for that age group and, hence, get it covered by insurance companies.

Merk is also still currently awaiting approval for boys ages 9-25, as per the study they presented in November of last year.

Comments

[phyrra.livejournal.com]

I think I will be getting the vaccine after the study is published, because it just makes sense to do.

[joreth]

This study has been published, but the 4-year study will be available after the 4-year end (which is sometime later this year). It will still not be approved for some time, since the FDA insisted that Merk have more longitudinal studies for older women.

You can find it off-label, even now, but it won't be covered by insurance until the FDA approves it.

[dayo.livejournal.com]

My doc has been pretty cool so far about approving tests off cycle, but she won't approve gardesil yet. Once the insurance co's agree... done deal.

[joreth]

That's too bad she's holding out on this one, with all the evidence behind it. But, it's just a matter of time before it gets approved :-)

[dancergeek.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[terry31415.livejournal.com]

I was just at a PP today, getting my routine screening done.

I asked about getting the vaccine, and they indicated they would be able to get it for me (38 year old male).

[terry31415.livejournal.com]

From the CDC website:
"There is no general test for men or women to check one’s overall “HPV status.” But HPV usually goes away on its own, without causing health problems. So an HPV infection that is found today will most likely not be there a year or two from now."

http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm

So, it seems to me, that even at 38, there is a benefit to having a vaccine.

I'll be getting that upgrade soon.

[joreth]

That's what's called "off-label". You can ask a doctor and they might sell it to you but they might not and it won't be covered by insurance

[joreth]

I don't remember off the top of my head - they're currently awaiting FDA approval