German, Italian Health Authorities Recommend HPV Vaccination

Germany and Italy have decided to recommend human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of girls and young women to prevent cervical cancer, Sanofi Pasteur MSD has announced. The move follows similar decisions by France earlier this month and by Austria in January.

Sanofi Pasteur MSD, which markets the HPV vaccine Gardasil in Europe, is a joint venture between sanofi pasteur and Merck.

Following an accelerated decision process, German authorities added HPV vaccination to the national schedule for standard vaccinations. The authorities have recommend universal vaccination of girls ages 12 to 17. Several German health insurance funds, which together cover almost 60 percent of the population, fully reimburse HPV vaccination, according to Sanofi Pasteur MSD.

In addition, the Italian Ministry of Health has recommended universal vaccination for 12-year-old girls and announced that vaccination can begin as soon as vaccine centers at the regional level are ready. Vaccinations are expected to begin in April.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently finalized its recommendation for routine HPV vaccination for girls ages 11-26.

Gardasil has been approved in 57 countries. The vaccine is indicated for the prevention of cervical cancer and other conditions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.