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Cervical Cancer Vaccine Protects Men Too

Merck announced today that its Gardasil vaccine, which protects women and girls from cervical cancer caused by the HPV virus, may protect men too.

According to the study, Gardasil was 90 percent effective in preventing lesions, mostly sexually transmitted warts, caused by the virus in men.  It was about 45 percent effective in preventing infection with the four strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) it targets.

Gardasil is only approved for use in girls and women.  Merck is now going to apply for approval to use it in males.  It will also be interesting to find out whether vaccinating men protects female sexual partners.  That has not yet been studied.

For more information about cervical cancer, see the cervical cancer attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.