Quick questions on HPV vaccine and Ian Frazer: HSC Investigating Science Module 6

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. By the 1980s it was known that nearly all cervical cancers were associated with infection by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a discovery for which Harald zur Hausen received the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine.

WHO's Global Strategy to eliminate cervical cancer (2020) sets a 90 per cent vaccination coverage target by age 15. Lower- and middle-income countries lag in coverage, often due to vaccine cost and supply, which is being addressed by Gavi and the WHO.

Outline how virus-like particles enable a vaccine for a virus that cannot be cultured. [3 marks]

AIHW data shows high-grade cervical abnormalities in women under 25 fell by over 60 per cent within a decade of NIP introduction. Identify one confounding variable that complicates attributing this entirely to vaccination, and explain how researchers controlled for it. [3 marks]

A health-policy analyst evaluates extending HPV vaccination to people up to age 45. (a) State one piece of primary data she could collect. (b) State one piece of secondary data she could use.