The human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) was licensed four years ago with the hope of decreasing vaccine-type HPV infections in those immunized, as well as protecting those not immunized through herd immunity. To determine if those hopes have become a reality, Kahn et al. (
doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-3587) enrolled women age 13-26 years who were sexually active in a pre-vaccination surveillance study in 2006-7 and again in 2009-10 in a post-vaccination surveillance study. At the time of being seen, study participants were given questionnaires and were tested for cervico-vaginal HPV DNA. Prevalence rates pre and post surveillance were obtained and compared. The results are largely good news for demonstrating the effectiveness of this vaccine, but there is a caveat in terms of an increase in non-vaccine-type HPV in the post-vaccinated surveillance women. This article makes some sharp points and reaffirm that the benefits of administering this vaccine certainly outweigh the risks.
