This is our outgoing letter to members of the Cancer Care Manitoba Cervical screening clinics that explains the new vaccine gardasil which protects against Human Papilloma Virus and consequently both cervical cancer and genital warts.

Dear Clinic Manager

We would like to announce that we plan to stock and administer Gardasil. The Merk Frosst vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus.

At present Gardasil is indicated for women and girls aged 13-26 for the prevention of HPV infections from specific serotypes 16,18, which are most carcinogenic and types 6 and 11 which commonly cause genital warts.

Administering this vaccine has been shown to reduce the incidence of HPV infections and subsequently cervical cancer.

This vaccine has just been introduced in Canada and is given in 3 doses at 0,2, and 6 months and costs approximately $150 per dose.

We plan to have this vaccine regularly stocked at our local pharmacy (343 Tache) so we may administer it same day as we already do so with our travel immunizations program. There will also be no additional tray or service fee since unlike visits for travel these visits fall under Manitoba Health.

At present this vaccine is not covered by Manitoba Health but available by prescription through pharmacies.

We believe that this product is significantly important for health and feel that our existing infrastructure as a full service Travel clinic positions us to efficiently give this vaccine.

Enclosed is some recent literature on Gardasil from the Merck website:

http://www.merck.com/newsroom/press_releases/product/2006_0608.html

• . Cervical Cancer:   GARDASIL prevented 100 percent of HPV 16- and 18- related cervical pre-cancers and non-invasive cervical cancers (CIN 2/3, and AIS, or adenocarcinoma in situ ).  There were no cases in the 8,487 women who received GARDASIL compared to 53 cases in the 8,460 women who received placebo.
• Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN):   GARDASIL prevented 95 percent of low-grade cervical dysplasia (low grade lesions) and pre-cancers (CIN 2/3 or AIS) caused by HPV 6, 11, 16 or 18.  There were 4 cases in the 7,858 women who received GARDASIL compared to 83 cases in the 7,861 women who received placebo.
• Genital Warts:   GARDASIL prevented 99 percent of cases of genital warts caused by HPV 6 or 11.  There was one case in the 7,897 women who received GARDASIL compared to 91 cases in the 7,899 women who received placebo.

Please feel free to contact our clinic regarding this or our Travel Medicine services. We are also available to assess and help last minute travelers for their immunizations including yellow fever.