Singapore: Researchers recently demonstrated that a single dose of the bivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cervarix, created by the GlaxoSmithKline group, may provide just as much protection against HPV-16/18 infections as the traditional schedules for two and three doses.

Ms Aimee Kreimer, health investigator, National Cancer Institute (NCI), said, "Our findings question the number of HPV vaccine doses truly needed to protect the majority of women against cervical cancer, and suggest that a one-dose schedule should be further evaluated. If one dose is sufficient, it could reduce vaccination and administration costs as well as improve uptake. This is especially important in less developed regions of the world where more than 80 percent of cervical cancer cases occur."

The findings were published in the journal-The Lancet Oncology and was carried in collaboration with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Professor Cosette Wheeler.

"Using existing data, we showed that a single dose of the bivalent HPV vaccine may be sufficient to substantially reduce cervical cancer incidence," Prof Wheeler said. "Yet, a new randomized study will be needed to confirm these findings and move the field forward. Additionally, duration of protection from a single dose must be demonstrated beyond four years."