Editor—Finn questions the non-availability of human papillomavirus (HPV) type specific data for the United Kingdom.1 We maintain that the data that are available for the UK on HPV type specific prevalence in the general population, in cervical cancer cases, and for precursor cases (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, CIN), are limited at present. No true population-based data are available, and wide variations in overall and type-specific HPV prevalences have been reported among samples of women undergoing routine cytological screening.2-4 Furthermore, UK rates of HPV infection may have increased since the study,4 cited by Finn, was conducted.5 Published UK data on HPV type specific prevalence in men, and on type specific HPV seroprevalence in men and women, are also not currently available.
Such data are needed for the modelling and cost effectiveness studies necessary to plan an HPV vaccination programme for the UK. Once the programme begins, pre-vaccination baseline data will be essential to monitor its impact, and to answer some of the questions discussed by Finn and ourselves.
Competing interests: None declared.
References
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