[Value of general human papillomavirus vaccination in sexually active women].

Most cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes 16 or 18, while almost all the anogenital warts are related to HPV 6 and 11. In placebo-controlled trials, a vaccine against HPV (6, 11, 16, 18) almost completely prevented infections and associated clinical lesions in primarily not infected women. Furthermore, new data demonstrate that sexually active women, as well as those with prior infection, also benefit from the vaccine. These results suggest that a general vaccination programme for sexually active women will be beneficial.