Value of general human papillomavirus vaccination in sexually active women

Most cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)genotypes 16 or 18, while almost all the anogenital warts are relatedto HPV 6 and 11. In placebo-controlled trials, a vaccine againstHPV (6, 11, 16, 18) almost completely prevented infections and associatedclinical lesions in primarily not infected women. Furthermore, newdata demonstrate that sexually active women, as well as those withprior infection, also benefit from the vaccine. These results suggestthat a general vaccination programme for sexually active women willbe beneficial.