I warned you the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (AICP) would formally rule on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, that claims to protect women from infections that cause cervical cancer and other infections. No great surprise, the committee officially and unanimously approved a recommendation yesterday that urges young female patients (ages 11-26) to be vaccinated.

What's more, the decision will force American health officials to shell out up to $2 billion to treat the poor. Eager to distance themselves from the ongoing Vioxx debacle, Merck says its Gardasil vaccine will be ready in a few days.

According to the CDC, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in America (more than 6 million women contract it annually), yet the immune systems of many women are strong enough to clear up these infections on their own.

Also, a New England Journal of Medicine study found the use of condoms reduces the incidence of HPV by 70 percent. By comparison, Gardasil counteracts four varieties of HPV that cause 70 percent of the cases of cervical cancer and 90 percent of genital warts.

So, does your daughter or wife really need it? Before you make that choice, please review some of the pieces I've posted regarding the dangers of relying on vaccines to protect the health of your loved ones.

New York Times June 30, 2006 Registration Required

USA Today June 30, 2006