Twenty-Five Percent of American Teenage Girls Were Vaccinated with Gardasil in 2007
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about 25% of teenage girls received at least one dose of Merck & Co.'s Gardasil vaccine in 2007, providing the first national estimate of usage of the company’s controversial anti- HPV (cervical cancer) vaccine.
A 25% usage rate for a a new vaccine during its first year on the market is outstanding. That said, Merck’s Gardasil is the only approved anti-HPV vaccine in the US. Approval of GlaxoSmithKline’s competing product, Cervarix, by FDA has been delayed for so-called “regulatory issues.” Also, Merck has been heavily promoting Gardasil use via well-crafted DTC ads and a variety of clever promotional campaigns aimed at adolescent girls and their mothers.
Despite all the negative press and Merck’s questionable marketing practices, Gardasil appears to be doing very well—something that Merck desperately needs.
Until next time…
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!
