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There is much debate about the vaccine Gardasil, which was introduced in 2006 for girls, and marketed as a weapon against cervical cancer. The vaccine actually targets human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus that is linked to the development of cervical cancer. While originally targeted only at girls and young women, the FDA recently expanded approval of the drug for use in boys and young men, to prevent the spread of HPV.
S.A.N.E. Vax, Inc., a non-profit organization established to promote safe, affordable, necessary, effective vaccines and vaccination practices, has announced a combined effort of concerned citizens worldwide to insist on government compliance with regulations and guidelines in the implementation and monitoring of vaccines. In particular, the outreach effort is focusing on Gardasil, manfuactured by Merck and marketed as a preventive for cervical cancer by targeting the human papillomavirus (HPV). According to a recent news release, SaneVax is encouraging an open letter writing campaign addressing the issue of vaccine safety.
Gardasil, a vaccine manufactured by Merck and promoted as a prevention for cervical cancer, was approved by the FDA in 2006. Later the same month, the vaccine was added to a list of recommended vaccines for girls ages 11-12 years. This, despite the fact that the first phase 3 trials of the vaccine were not yet complete. It would be almost a year later – May 2007 – before these studies were complete. Why the big rush?
A page on the popular social networking site Facebook, called “Gardasil can be dangerous,” shares stories, news articles, personal accounts, videos and more, posted by individuals and families who have been affected by the vaccine. Manufactured by Merck, Gardasil is promoted as a preventive treatment for cervical cancer, and, more recently, for throat, penile and anal cancers as well. Initially marketed to girls and young women after being approved in 2006, the vaccine is now also given to boys and young men.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently added Gardasil to its list of recommended vaccines for young men starting at age 9, for the prevention of genital warts. The vaccine, which protects against four strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) already was recommended for girls by the age of 11 or 12 as a preventive measure against cervical cancer. However, parents should carefully weigh the pros and cons of this relatively new vaccine, which was approved by the FDA in 2006. Thousands of adverse event reports are attached to the vaccine, and it has been linked to more than 50 deaths.
A coroner in the Canadian province of Quebec is expressing concern about possible unknown side effects related to the HPV vaccine, Gardasil. The medical examiner became worried after examining the body of a 14-year-old girl, who died after receiving her second dose of the vaccine, which is used to protect girls and young women from the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently rescinded its controversial and, some argued, discriminatory requirement that all girls and women ages 11 to 26 immigrating to the United States receive at least one injection of Gardasil, Merck’s human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which informs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on vaccine use and policy, declined to advocate for Gardasil’s systematic and widespread use in boys and men. The human papilloma virus, or HPV, does not present the same risks of cancer in males as it does in females, but it can lead to the development genital warts.
