New quadrivalent HPV vaccine developments

Human papillomavirus infection is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the world and is responsible for cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, as well as genital warts. A vaccine against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 has been available since 2006 and has been approved for the prevention of cervical cancer, cervical precancers, and genital warts. Recently, the vaccine also received approval for the prevention of vulvar and vaginal cancers in women aged 9 to 26 years. Although Guillain-Barré syndrome and death have been reported in women who received the vaccine, an analysis of available data by the US Food and Drug Administration found no association between the vaccine and these adverse events. Since post-vaccination syncope is common among young women, providers should ensure that patients remain seated when vaccinated and under observation for at least 15 minutes following vaccination.