A new study looking at young women in Australia who were vaccinated with Merck’s HPV vaccine shows they were five to 20 times more likely to suffer from anaphylaxis than girls in comparable school-based programs, although the study authors, nonetheless, conclude the vaccine is still “remarkably safe.”

The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, looked at 114,000 women. They found 12 suspected cases of anaphylaxis, and confirmed eight in a 2007 vaccination program. Symptoms included difficulty in breathing, nausea and rashes, PharmaTimes writes. (We will provide a link to the study as soon as it becomes available).

The reasons for an increased rate of anaphylaxis may include possible allergic reaction to the vaccine components or enhanced adverse event surveillance. It could also be the result of higher rates of anaphylaxis in women from mid-adolescence compared with men, and an apparent increase in incidence of anaphylaxis in Australia, but the researchers conclude that anaphylaxis following the HPV vaccine is rare and the programs should continue, according to PharmaTimes.

Meanwhile, Glaxo’s rival HPV vaccine, Cervarix, is being launched this week in the UK. Take a look.

Separately, Cowen analyst Steve Scala canvassed more than 200 obstetricians and gynecologists in response to Merck’s difficulties in promoting the vaccine amid the high cost and ongoing safety controversy. He found that that 48 percent are likely to increase their Gardasil prescribing by 10 percent to 25 percent over the next year and that more than 30 percent are administering Gardasil to 20 percent to 40 percent of their patients in the 9-18 and 19-26 year-old ranges.

Other findings: 75 percent responded that more than 60 percent of patients who receive their first dose get a second dose. The biggest reason for not getting all doses is cost; Gardasil reimbursement is an issue but only some of the time for most physicians. However, patient awareness or willingness to act on awareness is still quite low: only 20 percent or less of patients inquire about vaccination. “Overall,” he concludes in an investor note this morning, “we believe this survey is quite supportive of Gardasil’s outlook.”