Changes

The '''HPV vaccine''' is a product developed by [[Merck]] under the brand name Gardasil, and it protects against a few strains of a sexually transmitted disease.  Specifically, this vaccine protects against types 6, 11, 16 and 18 of the human papillomavirus  

The '''HPV vaccine''' is a product developed by [[Merck]] under the brand name Gardasil, and it protects against a few strains of a sexually transmitted disease.  Specifically, this vaccine protects against types 6, 11, 16 and 18 of the human papillomavirus  

(HPV), which is transmitted only by sexual contact with a partner.   

(HPV), which is transmitted only by sexual contact with a partner.  HPV types 16 and 18 together cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers. <ref>National Cancer Institute:  Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer: Questions and Answers [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV]</ref>

Only about 3% of women are infected in their lifetime by these four types of HPV (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) targeted by the vaccine.<ref>This was confirmed by a study published February 28, 2007 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA 297(8):813-819, February 28, 2007.</ref>

Only about 3% of women are infected in their lifetime by these four types of HPV (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) targeted by the vaccine.<ref>This was confirmed by a study published February 28, 2007 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA 297(8):813-819, February 28, 2007.</ref>