Human Papillomavirus and the Need for a Vaccine

Human papillomavirus or more commonly known as HPV has several types, but only a few types have been directly linked to cervical cancer.

Recently the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted and approved the use of Cervarix for girls 11 and 12.  Gardasil has been approved for use since 2006.

Cervarix was approved by the Food and Drug Administrationon October 16th, 2009

The panel also voted to approved the use of Gardasil to males between the age of 9 through 26.

The dosing for Gardasil and Cervarix will be approved and allowed in the Government’s Vaccines for Children program

This program will provide immunizations free for uninsured and under-insured children.

Dosing for both will be given in 3 doses

-   1st shot:
-   2nd shot: 1-2 months following the 1st shot
-   3rd shot: 6 months following 1st shot

Gardasil is made by Merck & Co
Cervarix is made by GlaxoSmithKline

Vaccine for boys?

Men don’t get cervical cancer they may not feel the responsibility. Although the vaccination does not just cover cervical cancer but covers genital warts as well.  It is believed that only 1% of sexually active males in the U.S. develop genital warts. Genital warts are not life threatening.

The true benefit would be seen in only women.   Some argue that by mandating this vaccination may be something that may be helpful in women’s health.

“It may seem unfair: Should this burden be borne by only girls and women?” asked Nancy Berlinger of the Hastings Center, a nonprofit bioethics research institute.

Other benefits from Vaccine other than cancer protection

Initially, it was reported by the media and other sources that the HPV vaccine may cause girls to become more sexually active. But recent data shows that this may not be the case.

Recently a study done at the University of Manchester points to some great insights into the actions of women and girls associated with this vaccine. It also highlights the importance of parent support.

It appears that what the vaccine has done is brought to light the risks of sexual activity. More young women are aware of a cancer they might not have otherwise known is caused by a virus that is passed by sexual activity.

Specifically in the United Kingdom – girls are offered this vaccine at age 12-13. This is offered in the “Government’s Vaccination Programme” that started last year.

Some important numbers:

79% of the 500 girls questioned states that they, because of the vaccine, are reminded of the risks of sexual activity.

4 out of 5 girls had discussed the vaccine with their parents

14% said that they may take more sexual risks because of receiving the vaccine

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said: “Despite the scare-stories,
this research suggests that the HPV vaccine could make the majority of girls more cautious about sex.”

Brabin et al. “British Journal of Cancer” October 2009

Check out the following to blog articles:

1.)    Should Gardasil be a Required Vaccination for Boys?

2.)   HPV Vaccine may do more than prevent Cervical Cancer, it may cause girls to be more cautious about sexual activity

Swine Flu Vaccine Awarded First Contract

Immunization for the swine flu is big money.. Just ask Protein Science, a biopharmaceutical company who was apparently awarded 35 million dollars for bringing out the first 100,000 doses of the Swine flu vaccine.

But are state health sites or the government ready to open a neighborhood clinics to start giving out a swine flu shot today. Of course not, they are at least a few months from that point. The current doses in circulation have not yet been tested and are only in the development stages. Clinical trials await in the extremely near future.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week the contract with Protein Sciences. The contract includes this year and may include an additional 5 years. The total contract may be worth 147 million dollars.

Caterpillar cells were infected by Protein Science with a virus that had been enhanced with a specific gene called a “hemagluttinin“. This gene is often found on the surface of the influenza virus. This new technology is comparatively different than the traditional mode of vaccine development.

Protein Science’s ability to make this vaccine quicker results from insect use, rather than the traditional route of a “seed strain“. Seed strains are typically done by creating a Hybrid virus. In the case of the Swine flu, the hybrid contains the H1 and N1 aspects of the influenza virus. The incubator is chicken eggs. Typically the process is highly involved with seven rounds of engineering the virus into an egg for harvesting.

Creation of a vaccine for H1n1 – Swine flu will not fall only on Protein Science. Another company Sanofi-Pasteurwhich has received a seed strain and has also begun development. Sanofi is the largest producer of the flu vaccine currently. Several other companies continue in the development of H1N1 vaccine that will enter into the testing stages. The race is not over yet.

Qld uni from Australia has reported its initial 1,000 doses that will only be used for research with the expectation that a working drug may be ready by the end of the year.

Are we moving too fast??

It is expected that the clinical stage may test the vaccine with to shots with 2 or 3 or even 4 week cycle. This will allow a subject to be monitored and their immune system enough time to develop immunity. It will be necessary to determine the human safety involved, the immunological response of antibodies, and the side effects of the vaccine. Even at the 4 weeks we may be pushing too hard.

But what would happen if the pandemic suddenly becomes worse. Would a company or government be inclined to speed up the process. Maybe wait only 1 week or less. It could reasonably take weeks to months to adequately test the vaccine in a manner relatively safe.

Several major questions:

1.)    Who should be the first to get the vaccine? [hospital workers or extremely sick patients]

2.)   Which states first?

3.)   Do we base it on population size or ratio of Swine flu cases??

4.)   Should we plan on vaccinating all 300 million Americans

5.)   What is the groundwork plan in states and counties?

6.)   Which countries should be included?

7.)   Cost?

8.)   What’s the effectiveness of the vaccine?

9.)   Should adjuvants be used?

10.)   Will there be another wave of swine flu?

Adjuvants

Are immune potentiators or immunomodulators that are added to vaccines with the hope to improve the immune response. It has been argued that these products can improve, enhance, accelerate, and even prolong the response of the vaccine.

The severity and amount of the vaccine may force many pharmaceutical companies to adding an adjuvant to the vaccine. This would allow the vaccine to be shared with several other countries.

Examples of adjuvants include: salts, oils, lipids, microbial derivatives, human immunomodulators (cytokines), gold particles and others.

Adjuvants have been seen to act along with the vaccine to allow and improve the desired effect.

Ajuvants may be used in the Swine flu. GlaxoSmithKline Inc. which has received Canada’s pandemic vaccine contract has indicated that they will strongly consider using an adjuvant in their vaccines. In addition to the action of the vaccine it may also speed up the time it takes for the company to produce enough vaccine for the entire county.

However – some argue that once the process has begun the adjuvants may become essential – but the time for the initial production of the vaccine might double or more.

Bankruptcy a possibility??

In concerning news regarding Protein Sciences – just a day prior to receiving the contract – Creditors for Protein Sciences Corporation filed a petition to force them into bankruptcy and liquidation. This calls into concern the stability of the company that has been given the company who has been awarded the contract for production of the Swine flu vaccine.

It does appear that the government has done several internal audits into the company and it was determine that Protein Sciences are financially stable enough to continue in the development of the vaccine.

Originally seen at: Swine Flu Vaccine Awarded First Contract

Several additional stories:

http://www.proteinsciences.com/aboutus/aboutus_news.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/29/2611426.htm

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=197637

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/business/24vaccine.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/tall-hurdles-in-race-for-a-swine-flu-vaccine/article1197368

Is there a relationship between vaccinations and certain diseases such as Autism?

Autism is a very explosive and sensitive topic for many. It is a condition that affects the neurological framework. Adding more fuel to the fire is the fact that the cause is unknown. Imagine a child who is progressing cognitively, as expected, and is everything that is hoped for. Then one day that world crashes down around them and their family. It starts by some minimal behavior changes and soon the child once familiar is no longer the same child.

 

Several signs seen in Autism:

1.) There is often a decreased or impaired ability in social interactions with family members, schoolmates, and others.

2.) There are a varied amount of decreased communication skills.

3.) Many have difficulty with eye contact.

4.) There may be increased speech difficulties.

5.) Often children are fixated on objects.

6.) Repetitive movements or sounds which can vary widely from head swinging to screaming .

The vaccine in question is against measles, mumps and rubella

Many people who receive the vaccine will never develope autism, while others see a specific link to the vaccination in question.

This debate will continue to be held both privately and publicly.

One thing is certain, our knowledge about the cause of autism is still minimal and further understanding is essential.

 

As origionally seen at http://www.iahealth.net