GlaxoSmithKline cervical cancer vaccine recommended by ACIP

GlaxoSmithKline has revealed that its cervical cancer vaccine Cervarix has been recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) for use in girls and young women.

The ACIP specifically recommended the vaccine for routine use among 11 and 12 year old girls and those aged between 13 and 25 who have not previously been vaccinated.

Cervarix was approved by the FDA on October 16th 2009 for the prevention of cervical pre-cancers and cervical cancer associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus types 16 and 18.

Barbara Howe, vice-president and director of vaccine development at GlaxoSmithKline, commented: “The ACIP recommendation for Cervarix underscores how important it is for girls and young women to be vaccinated to help reduce the burden of this devastating cancer.”

In other GlaxoSmithKline news this week, the firm’s drug Votrient (pazopanib) – which is intended for use in patients with renal cell carcinoma – was approved by the Food and Drug Administration.