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HPV vaccines are effective and safe and work best in young women, review finds

BMJ 2018; 361 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k2059 (Published 09 May 2018) Cite this as: BMJ 2018;361:k2059

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Re: HPV vaccines are effective and safe and work best in young women, review finds

I have asked the following question of the Cochrane review, I await any reply.

May I ask the exact nature of the placebos used for the control groups in each of the safety / efficacy trials covered by this review? It is my understanding that on many if not all occasions the placebo was entirely inappropriate. Where Cervarix is concerned i have brought up this flaw in the scientific method in a letter in Lancet Infectious Disease. Where Gardasil is concerned the reluctance of Merck to share their proprietary adjuvant has made closer investigations impossible. As I wrote in Vaccine many years ago now, aluminium adjuvants are not appropriate placebos in vaccine safety trials.

Competing interests: No competing interests

11 May 2018
Christopher Exley
Scientist
Keele University
Staffordshire