United States-based Merck has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its human papillomavirus 9-valent vaccine, Gardasil 9, to be utilised as treatment for women and men aged from 27 years to 45 years, it was reported yesterday.

The company's supplemental application has been approved to expand the use of Gardasil 9, which helps in preventing certain cancers and diseases caused by the nine HPV types covered by the vaccine.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 14 million Americans are affected with human papillomavirus each year, and human papillomavirus viruses are associated with several other forms of cancer affecting men and women. Gardasil 9 had already received approval for use in males and females aged between nine years and 26 years.