前回の記事で取り上げたSwissinfoが2008年に書いたHPVワクチンの話です。
記事アンダーライン部分に書いてある二点は以下の通り。
※（）内は私の感想も含んでいます。
① 子宮頸癌患者の75％はHPVによるもの。
（残り25パーセントはHPVワクチンではないということか？
末尾の説明には、クラミジアやヘルペスなど他のウィルスも原因になることが書いてあります。HPV原因のものが100％でない上、ウィルスの種類も100種類・・・。）
⓶HPVワクチンは5年〜10年しか効力が続かないと見積もられている。
（11歳〜14歳にワクチンを接種した場合、最低20歳未満でもう免疫がきれてしまっている可能性あり。）
Swissinfo （2008.9.18）
Cancer vaccine plan launched amid controversy
by Sonia Fenazzi
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/cancer-vaccine-plan-launched-amid-controversy/6927334
Switzerland has become the latest country to offer pre-teen girls jabs against a virus that can lead to cervical cancer.
Health authorities say that vaccinating girls against human papilloma virus, or HPV, will help reduce cases of the cancer. But objections have been raised about the high costs and the effectiveness of the medication.
The huge campaign, launched to coincide with the start of the school year, involves the Federal Health Office, the cantons, health insurers and doctors.
It is aimed at all girls between the ages of 11 and 14 and could later include those aged 15 to 19.
（中略）
Around 75 per cent of these cancers were caused by the HPV virus.
Officials added that the vaccination programmes not only offered protection to a maximum of girls, but also gave them equal access to the vaccine.
However, the injection does not offer complete protection - as in a quarter of cases the cancer is not caused by the virus. Smear tests are still paramount, warn officials, as early detection of the disease is vital.
Effectiveness in doubt?
The vaccination campaign has been mounted very quickly – the vaccine was only approved by the Swiss authorities in 2006. But for some in the health profession, it has come too fast.
The Medical Group for Reflection on Vaccinations, an association of doctors in French-speaking Switzerland, believes that the newness of the vaccine means that there has not been enough time to consider its effectiveness and possible side effects.
Currently the vaccine is estimated to protect girls for five to ten years.
"One of the potential risks of vaccination on a large scale could be to put off infection until a later age," it warned in a communiqué.
The Forum for Praxis Paediatrics, an association of children's doctors, is in favour of the move. But does not agree with mass immunisation, arguing that vaccinations could be carried out in doctors' practices with individual advice.
For some the move does not go far enough. The Swiss Cancer League wants to see a tumour register for the whole of Switzerland to allow a proper analysis of data.
"We maintain that the vaccine is effective and safe," Virginie Masserey, head of the vaccination section at the Federal Health Office, told swissinfo.
Millions of girls have already been vaccinated around the world, she added. Among the countries who have already acted are Australia and Swiss neighbour Germany.
In addition, the high vaccine prices paid in industrialised countries help reduce the costs in developing ones, where there is a higher incidence of cervical cancer deaths and cases, said Masserey.
"It's also a real act of solidarity," she said.
The Forum for Praxis Paediatrics, an association of children's doctors, is in favour of the move. But does not agree with mass immunisation, arguing that vaccinations could be carried out in doctors' practices with individual advice.
For some the move does not go far enough. The Swiss Cancer League wants to see a tumour register for the whole of Switzerland to allow a proper analysis of data.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer develops from cells lining the neck of the womb (cervix). Usually, these cells first develop abnormal changes, which then become cancerous.
Most cases of the cancer are caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV. A smaller number of cases are caused by other sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia and herpes.
Other factors are insufficient hygiene, number of sexual partners and tobacco.
