| Vaccine description | |
|---|---|
| Target disease | human papillomavirus (Types 16 and 18) |
| Type | Protein subunit |
| Identifiers | |
| ATC code | J07BM02 |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. | B(US) |
| Legal status | ℞-only (US) |
| Routes | injection |
Cervarix is a vaccine against certain types of cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV).
Cervarix is designed to prevent infection from HPV types 16 and 18, which currently cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. These types also cause some other genital cancers and some oropharyngeal cancers. Additionally, some cross-reactive protection against virus strains 45 and 31 were shown in clinical trials.[1] Cervarix also contains AS04, a proprietary adjuvant that has been found to boost the immune system response for a longer period of time.[2]
Cervarix is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. An alternative product, from Merck & Co., is known as Gardasil.