Two new
vaccines have been recently licensed : a
quadrivalent vaccine against
Human papillomavirus infections (HPV) 6, 11, 16 and 18, recommended to children from 9 years old and to young adults under the age of 26 years, and a
vaccine against
herpes zoster for adults from 60 years old onwards. A
bivalent vaccine against HPV 16 and 18 will be shortly available.
HPV vaccines are composed of the L1 structural
proteins of 2 or 4 HPV genotypes, produced by genetic engineering and self-assembled. These inert
vaccines are devoid of genetic materials and mimic the viral particle (virus-like particle, VLP). They allow, as suggested by the 4.5 to 5 years follow-up, to prevent
HPV infections and the onset of pre-cancerous lesions associated with genotypes contained within the
vaccine. They represent a major overhang in the vaccinology field, and, as anti-
hepatitis B vaccine, will probably be effective in
cancer prevention. Their use must be associated with the continued detection of
cervix cancer by smears and also with the prevention of other
sexually transmitted diseases. The
herpes zoster vaccine is a living
attenuated vaccine produced from the OKA/Merck strain already used in the
vaccine against
varicella. Its safety is good among persons 50 years old and over and its efficiency on lowering
herpes zoster incidence, on the burden of illness and on post-herpetic
neuralgia has been demonstrated in persons over 60 years old.