A Different Caliber Shot
On October 16, in addition to approving Gardasil for boys, the FDA approved an alternative HPV vaccine, Cervarix, for young women between the ages of 10 and 25 (Press Release). Cervarix, which has been available overseas for some time, is designed to protect against the two most common cancer-causing varieties of HPV, and may also have some cross-reactivity against another of the major cancer causing strains.
Several people have already asked me why they would choose a vaccine that only protects against two strains of HPV when there is one that protects against four available. Personally, I think it's good to have options, but there is also some evidence that Cervarix may stimulate a stronger immune response against HPV than Gardasil, although both are effective against the virus. Cervarix is the first vaccine containing the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) to be licensed by the FDA.
HIV is not something people can nor should they go through alone.
To all of us who positive stay strong and need people to win this
fight, whether it’s family, friends or a support group, people are
the key.