The FDA has now approved a recombinant, 9-valent, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil 9 – Merck) for use in girls and women 9-26 years old and boys 9-15 years old. The new vaccine is indicated to prevent diseases associated with infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, which include genital warts and cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal precancerous lesions and cancer. Two recombinant HPV vaccines are already available in the US: Gardasil prevents disease associated with HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18,1 and Cervarix prevents disease associated with HPV types 16 and 18.2

HPV INFECTION — HPV is commonly acquired by young women soon after initiation of sexual activity, with a cumulative incidence of 40% within 16 months. Although most HPV infections clear spontaneously without clinical ... more      

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