US regulators have downplayed safety concerns over GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccine against cervical cancer in a decision that will have repercussions for many other vaccines, including those to protect against the pandemic flu virus.

Documents made public ahead of an advisory committee of the Food & Drug Administration on Wednesday downplay previous concerns over Cervarix, paving the way for the likely approval of the first vaccine in the US in 80 years to contain a patented “adjuvant” to enhance efficacy.