Sanofi Pasteur MSD welcomes preliminary advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that human papillomavirus vaccines should be introduced routinely for girls aged around 12-13 years in the United Kingdom. However, having hoped to make a recommendation in early 2007, it is surprising that the final advice from the JCVI will not be delivered until October 2007.

Eight European countries, as well as the United States, Canada and Australia have already recommended human papillomavirus vaccination. Decisions were taken after accelerated review times compared to past decisions for vaccination programmes against other diseases.

Richard Stubbins, Managing Director of Sanofi Pasteur MSD commented:

"Today's announcement by the JCVI is a welcome first step towards protecting the women of the UK against human papillomavirus, which is the cause of cervical cancer and a whole range of other conditions such as vulval cancer and genital warts. It is surprising that a final decision will not be taken until later in the year, despite data showing that the vaccine is highly cost effective. Cervical cancer alone causes approximately 1000 deaths each year in the UK and significant suffering to many women. Universal vaccination of pre-adolescent girls, who have not yet been exposed to the virus, is considered the best start to a vaccination programme by experts. However, a catch up programme for adolescent girls and young women would bring additional benefits as many of them would ! not have been infected by human papillomavirus. We therefore look forward to hearing more details about a catch-up campaign for girls and young women."

Dr Nick Kitchin, Medical Director of Sanofi Pasteur MSD commented:

"In each school year of girls that is part of an HPV vaccination programme, cervical cancer will be avoided in 1,400 of them and 429 lives will be saved. Covering 13-15 year old girls could save a further 1,287 lives. So we look forward to the JCVI finalising its recommendation including a catch up programme."

Human papillomavirus vaccines have the potential to save the lives of many women in the UK and prevent the suffering caused by cervical cancer, pre-cancerous changes, abnormal smears and other conditions caused by human papillomaviruses.

Sanofi Pasteur MSD which distributes Gardasil® (Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] (Recombinant, adsorbed), the only licensed human papillomavirus vaccine in the UK, is looking forward to working closely with the Governments and Health Departments of the four countries within the UK to ensure the smooth implementation of a national vaccination programme once the final recommendation is made.

Human papillomavirus vaccination will complement the National Cervical Screening Programme and it is important that women continue to attend regular cervical smear tests. Indeed, it is hoped that the heightened awareness and education that will surround the implementation of vaccination will reverse the decline in attendance for screening that has been seen in recent years in young women.

About Sanofi Pasteur MSD

Sanofi Pasteur MSD is a joint venture between sanofi pasteur, the vaccine division of sanofi-aventis, and Merck & Co., Inc. Combining innovation and expertise, Sanofi Pasteur MSD is the only company in Europe dedicated exclusively to vaccines. Sanofi Pasteur MSD is able to draw on the research expertise of sanofi pasteur and Merck & Co., Inc., together with their teams throughout the world, to focus on the development of new vaccines for Europe, which aim to extend protection to other diseases and perfect existing vaccines in order to improve the acceptability, efficacy and tolerability of vaccination.

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