CDC plans to subsidize cervical cancer vaccine

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. health authorities added Merck & Co. Inc.'s new vaccine for cervical cancer to a government-subsidized vaccine program for schoolchildren, helping to expand its availability, the company said on Wednesday.

The vaccine Gardasil prevents cervical cancer by protecting against the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV), which can trigger the disease, one of the most common cancers in women.

Merck said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention included Gardasil in its Vaccines for Children program, under which the government buys vaccines for uninsured or poor schoolchildren.

The vaccine is intended to be given to young girls before they become sexually active.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in June for use in girls and women ages 9 to 26.

An advisory panel to the CDC recommended in late June that girls as young as 9 and young women up to age 26 should be able to get the Merck vaccine. It also recommended the vaccine be included in the subsidized vaccines program.

Merck said inclusion of Gardasil in the Vaccines for Children program will help ensure equitable access to the vaccine, which is already covered by some private insurance companies.

The Vaccines for Children program provides coverage for children through age 18.