HPV Immunization

Planned Parenthood Statement to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on the HPV Vaccine

New York, NY — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today urged the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend widespread human papilloma virus (HPV) immunization as the path toward eradicating cervical cancer in future generations. PPFA encouraged ACIP to recommend that girls 11 to 12 years of age be vaccinated and that all young women up to age 26 should also be immunized. To ensure that the HPV vaccine will be widely accessible, PPFA asked that the HPV vaccine be included in the Vaccine for Children program. Following is the PPFA statement presented to ACIP today by Emily Stewart, PPFA Regulatory and Policy Analyst.

Remarks of Emily Stewart, Regulatory and Policy Analyst
Before the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
June 29, 2006

It is an honor and a pleasure to represent Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. during this meeting where decisions will be made about who will be able to access the first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and external genital warts. My remarks incorporate the comments of Dr. Vanessa Cullins, Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dr. Jeffery Waldman, Senior Medical Director for PPFA, both of whom regret that they are unable to attend.

As you are aware, the HPV vaccine-coupled with cervical cancer screening programs, early detection, and treatment-has enormous potential to impact public health. This potential can only be realized if those who need the vaccine are provided access to it. We recognize that enabling easy access to the HPV vaccine is no small feat, but we draw your attention to those immunization strategies that have had the greatest success — that is, those strategies that allow for herd immunity and are executed through a strategy of vaccination of all (such as smallpox), or those that are have been made a prerequisite for school admission. Access to the vaccine should be a public health priority.

Given the high cost of the HPV vaccine-at approximately $360 for the series, it is the most expensive vaccine ever-recommending routine immunization is critical to making the vaccine accessible. By doing so, you ensure coverage by private health insurers and government vaccination programs. In this vein, we strongly encourage you to include the HPV vaccine in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. Under VFC, the HPV vaccine should be made available to all previously unvaccinated youth from 11 through 18 years of age.

For a full transcript of Ms. Stewart's remarks, contact the PPFA Media Department.