International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

The World Health Organization has approved a second cervical cancer vaccine, it has been reported.

In a move which will allow the United Nations and partner organisations to officially buy millions of doses for use in the developing world, GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK's) HPV vaccine Cervarix has been verified for use.

With an estimated 80 per cent of the 280,000 annual deaths from cervical cancer occurring in poor countries, wider access to HPV protection is being seen as welcome.

Dan Thomas, a spokesman for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, told Reuters: "We're very eager to offer women in developing countries these vaccines because without early screening, they are arguably more vulnerable to cervical cancer."

Thomas Breuer, head of global clinical research and development and chief medical officer of GSK Biologicals earlier explained that laboratory tests had proven Cervarix to be effective against cervical pre-cancers associated with the five most common cancer-causing virus types.

"This is really good news for primary prevention of cervical cancer as it indicates the vaccine could offer women additional protection against cervical cancer beyond what had at first been anticipated," he added.