GARDASIL® receives highest recommendation for use in males from National Advisory Committee on Immunization
Most parents agree that vaccinating both boys and girls in school is a good idea
KIRKLAND, QC, Jan. 19, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) updated and strengthened its statement related to the use of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines in Canada. Among the recommendations, NACI determined that there is good (Grade A, the highest level) evidence to recommend the use of GARDASIL® [Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine] in males between 9 to 26 years of age. GARDASIL® is the only HPV vaccine indicated and recommended for boys and men.
"The Canadian Association of Adolescent Health (CAAH) supports the NACI recommendations and applauds the specific updates regarding boys and men," said Dr. Franziska Baltzer, CAAH spokesperson and Division Head, Adolescent Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital. "Both genders contribute to the spread of HPV and develop diseases as a result of HPV infection. To eliminate those diseases, we need to vaccinate males as well as females."
A national survey conducted in March 2011 by Ipsos Reid (view Ipsos Reid Factum here) showed that parents support the vaccination of boys in school-based programs paid for with public funds. According to the survey:
- 85% of parents of males would allow their son to get vaccinated against HPV if it was offered through a publicly-funded program at his school
- 88% of parents support the assertion that boys should be vaccinated against HPV in the same program as girls
- 91% of parents agree that vaccinating both boys and girls against HPV would provide greater protection than vaccinating girls alone
The only HPV vaccine indicated and recommended for boys and men
NACI made a Grade A recommendation for the use of GARDASIL® in males between 9 and 26 years of age for the prevention of genital warts, anal cancer and pre-cancerous anal lesions. While the total burden of HPV-associated cancers among males is estimated at 5.2% of all cancers worldwide, increasing rates of anal cancer among males have been observed, paired with lower survival compared to females. HPV types 6 and 11 cause approximately 90% of genital warts. There are about 41,450 new cases of genital warts each year in Canada.
About NACI
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is a committee of recognized experts in the fields of pediatrics, infectious diseases, immunology, medical microbiology, internal medicine and public health. The Committee reports to the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, and works with departmental staff of the Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control of the Public Health Agency of Canada to provide ongoing and timely medical, scientific and public health advice. NACI makes recommendations for the use of vaccines approved in Canada and also advises on the need for national vaccination strategies.
About the Survey
The results of the survey completed in March 2011 are based on 2231 online interviews conducted nationally with parents of children aged between 10 and 17. The sample was generated by Ipsos-Reid's national online panel (Ipsos I-say Online Panel). With a sample size of 2231, the results are considered accurate to within +/- 2.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had all parents of children 10 to 17 been polled. These data were weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer and animal products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca.
Forward Looking Statement
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Merck's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on the effectiveness of Merck's patents and other protections for innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health policies in the United States and internationally and the exposure to litigation and/or regulatory actions. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Merck's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
B-ROLL AVAILABLE TODAY (JANUARY 19, 2012) IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH BETWEEN 10:00 AND 11:00 AM EDT AND BETWEEN 12:00 AND 12:30 PM EDT IN ENGLISH ONLY.
Coordinates:
Galaxy 17 K13 Slot B
U/L: 14255.5V
D/L: 11955 . 5H
Symbol rate: 6.1113
FEC 3/4
The news release is available at www.cnw.ca.
1 National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Update on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines. An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS). Can Commum Dis Rep 2012;37(ACS-7):1-62. Available at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/11vol37/acs-dcc-8/index-eng.php
2 GARDASIL® Product Monograph, July 14, 2011. Pages 18-20. Available at www.merck.ca
3 GARDASIL® Product Monograph, July 14, 2011. Pages 18-20. Available at www.merck.ca
Media Contacts:
| Sheila Murphy Merck 514-428-2748 |
Montreal Roch Landriault/Stephanie Lyttle 514-843-2345/514-843-2365 |
Toronto Colin Longhurst 416-848-1393 |
Share this article