I want to see cancers of all types eliminated from the planet just as much as anyone, but I have some serious concerns about Gardasil being trumpeted as the miracle drug and being forced on young girls. I was furious when I saw Texas governor Rick Perry all smiles as he signed a mandate for all girls going into the 6th grade to receive this vaccine. I was appalled at the nerve of some of the “experts” who appeared on the morning and evening news shows saying parents shouldn’t have the right to make that decision and that it was for the good of everyone that people comply with the recommendations made by…Merck…the maker of the vaccine…can anyone say “conflict of interest”???
The following was taken from an FDA document that was linked by a commenter on the first post regarding this topic. It includes quotes from the National Cancer Institute, Merck, as well as others.
“Most women who become infected with HPV are able to eradicate the virus and suffer no apparent long-term consequences to their health . But a few women develop a persistent infection that can eventually lead to pre-cancerous changes in the cervix .”“. . .most infections are short-lived and not associated with cervical cancer.”
“…vaccination with GardasilTM of the women who are already sero-positive and PCR-positive for vaccine-relevant genotypes of HPV has been found to increase the risk of developing high-grade precancerous lesions by 44 .6%, according to an FDA VRBPAC Background Document : GardasilTM HPV Quadrivalent Vaccine . May 18, 2006 VRBPAC Meeting. www.fda.izov/ohrms/dockets/ac/06/briefing/2006-4222B3.”
“…Based on a`Background Document submitted to the FDA by Merck & Co ., Inc . [14], injection of HPV vaccines into women who have concurrent vaccine-relevant HPV type infections may increase the risk, by 44 .6%, of developing high-grade precancerous lesions in the cervix . Therefore, it would be prudent to perform a sensitive HPV detection assay with accurate genotype determination on the patients to be vaccinated if prior HPV infection is suspected .”
“Most HPV infections occur without any symptoms and go away without any treatment over the course of a few years. However, HPV infection sometimes persists for many years, with or without causing cell abnormalities. ”
“Some types of HPV are referred to as “low-risk” viruses because they rarely develop into cancer. HPV types that are more likely to lead to the development of cancer are referred to as “high-risk. ” Both high-risk and low-risk types of HPV can cause the growth of abnormal cells, but generally only the high-risk types of HPV may lead to cancer . Sexually transmitted, high-risk HPVs include types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 69, and possibly a few others. These high-risk types of HPV cause growths that are usually flat and nearly invisible, as compared with the warts caused by types HPV-6 and HPV-11 . It is important to note, however, that the majority of high-risk HPV infections go away on their own and do not cause cancer . “
“…of the women who do develop abnormal cell changes with high-risk types of HPV, only a small percentage would develop cervical cancer if the abnormal cells were not removed. Studies suggest that whether a woman develops cervical cancer depends on a variety of factors acting together with high-risk HP Vs . The factors that may increase the risk of cervical cancer in women with HPV infection include smoking and having many children . ”
We have experts on one side that say the vaccine is necessary and will probably prevent cervical cancer. They have a huge campaign telling the public how safe it is, and they play on the fears of parents, young girls and women. Imagine watching T.V. and seeing the “One Less” commercial. You look at your precious child and think, if I can keep my little girl from dying of cervical cancer, I’ll do whatever it takes, and you make a mental note to call the doctor to schedule an appointment for the shots. That is what the makers of this vaccine are counting on…your fear of the unknown.
We have experts on the other side telling us that most people who have HPV won’t develop cervical cancer. I’ve given you proof from the FDA, the National Cancer Institute, and The American Cancer Society, among other experts. Is this a necessary step of protection for your daughter? The question you need to ask your self is this.
The Benefits: (If there is no previous HPV infection present in the body)
POSSIBLE elimination or reduction of 2 of the 127+ strains of HPV that may cause cervical cancer.
Possible elimination or reduction in the number of cases of genital warts.
Possible protection against 4 strains of HPV for up to five years. The FDA website said that a time frame for eficacy had not yet been determined. It isn’t known when a booster would be needed.
The Risks:
The usual side effects that may accompany any vaccinations: Nausea, dizziness, swelling and or pain and the injection site, mild to moderate fever, dehydration, and headache.
Possible harmful side effects may include: Hyperventilation, muscle spasms, vomiting, blurred vision, speech disorder, falling, syncope (fainting), rash, chills, pallor, tremors, Guillain-Barre syndrome, weakness in extremities, paralysis, Hypoaesthesia-impaired or decreases tactile sensibility, convulsions, Erythema -abnormal redness of the skin, enlarged lymph nodes that may have to be removed, abnormal skin sensations, inability to swallow, skin ulcers, seizures, Bells Palsy, and many others that have been reported after receiving the Gardasil vaccine.
There have been atleast 8 deaths connected to receiving the Gardasil vaccine. This number is low compared to the number of deaths related to vaccines in general, but you get my point. Merck denies the correlation, of course.
3000+ girls and women reported side effects that were deemed severe enough for a visit to the ER, some were classified as critical. These reports are available through the FDA Freedom of Information Distribution. To read these reports: Click Here.
February 22, 2008 at 9:40 am |
Healthy living and sound education is much better, in my opinion, than any “maybe” drug.
For a governmental body to even be considering making Gardasil a mandatory vaccine for school attendance is abhorrent.
Kids need taught about the birds & the bees, and health issues which surround sex, starting at an early age. With age-appropriate content. They need this as much as they do education in other areas.
They don’t need to be part of a large drug study.
Healthy body mind and spirit provides us with the capacity to resist many forms of illness. I’d love to see a more ‘preventative’ approach to medicine. And Gardasil only addresses a symptom of ill health. It doesn’t go to the root, and address how people live.
I’m really incoherent today (not enough sleep, haven’t had breakfast yet) but this whole issue with Gardasil is a bit freaky- Orwellian and Soylent Green freaky. People should be paying attention to this sort of legislation.
February 25, 2008 at 12:40 am |
You know, people have actually died from Gardasil. I *believe* that CNN stated there are 11 deaths, plus 28 miscarriages that have been linked.
My biggest problem with Gardasil, as you’ve mentioned, is the marketing campaign. I have one friend who is 28 years old and a virgin and refuses to go have pap smears done because she doesn’t like them. When I warned her she needs to be checked for cervical cancer, she said she was just going to get the vaccine. Um, HELLO!!? It’s not going to do any good if you’re not having sex, girl! She had no idea it prevented an STD and not cervical cancer itself.
While the ads DO say “you should still get tested blah blah blah,” most people don’t pay attention to that. They hear “cervical CANCER vaccine” and get all happy.