Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus has submitted a resolution to the County Legislature that will approve a County relationship with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharmaceuticals to study an investigational human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Recent research has confirmed that infection with (HPV) leads to the development of cervical cancer. If approved, the County’s Department of Health can proceed in a cervical cancer vaccine trial study at no cost to the County. 

No vaccine is currently available for the prevention or treatment of cervical cancer, the third most common malignancy in women worldwide.  Approximately 470,000 new cases of cervical cancer are reported each year resulting in 190,000 deaths annually. 

“This relationship with GlaxoSmithKline will allow the County’s Department of Health to participate in cutting edge prevention science,” said County Executive Steinhaus.

GSK expects 13,000 women within the regions of Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin and North America to be enrolled in this international trial.  For the next ten months, the clinical research site at the Dutchess County Department of Health plans to enroll approximately 50 healthy young women under the age of 26.  After enrolling, participants will receive medical care related to the study for 48 months at no charge.

The study in Dutchess will be coordinated out of the County’s Department of Health in partnership with Riverside Women’s Health in Poughkeepsie.  Dutchess County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Michael Caldwell will serve as the Principal Investigator. 

Dr. Michael Caldwell said, “Our previous experiences with the Lyme vaccine trial, as well as other vaccine trials, has shown that the type of mass education that accompanies recruitment is very effective in making a positive impact on community health practices.  We are very excited about this relationship.”

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the study may call Linda Squires, Clinical Research Coordinator at 845/486-3753.