In July 2006, a vaccine for the prevention of infections caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) was approved for sale in Canada.
A second vaccine is currently undergoing Health Canada review. In its December 2007 issue, The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) summarizes the most recent evidence on the efficacy and safety of these vaccines. It also presents the results of some cost effectiveness analyses and discusses a number of unresolved questions about HPV vaccinations: ideal age for immunization, duration of effect, immunization of women already infected, vaccination of males, implication for Papanicolaou (PAP) smear programs, barriers to uptake, need for monitoring and registries, cost-effectiveness, and programs to ensure access for special populations.
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Adapted by : Myriam Hivon, Ph.D.
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