Are cervical cancer vaccines approved by the FDA?
Cervical cancer vaccines are vaccines against the HPV virus sub-types that are associated with development of cervical dysplasia and cancers. The vaccine Guardasil is FDA-approved and is given as a series of three injections over six months, and ideally should be given to women prior to potential exposure to HPV, for example, before starting to have sexual intercourse. So it is currently recommended for young girls ages 9-11. However, it is FDA approved through age 26, and we are therefore doing catch up vaccines for young women to get them vaccinated. Q: Who should receive the vaccine? At this point the American Cancer Society recommends that the vaccine be given to girls age 11-12 and as early as age 9, at the discretion of a pediatrician. Older women up to age 26 should be counseled on receiving vaccination and are eligible to have catch-up vaccination. It is unclear if women older than 26 benefit from the vaccine. There is another vaccine awaiting FDA approval that will have a high
