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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.
A writer on the blog site buzzle.com, a news and information clearinghouse website, recently posted an article urging parents to use caution when making a choice about the Gardasil vaccine. The mother of an 11-year-old girl, author Anastacia Mott Austin says young girls receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are like “guinea pigs,” because the vaccine has not been properly tested for long-range consequences on a large sample of girls in its target age group. The vaccine is currently recommended by the FDA for girls beginning as young as age 9, through about age 26, for the prevention of cervical cancer.
In January we reported about a project proposed by a group of independent filmmakers, who hoped to create a documentary about the harmful side effects of the HPV vaccine, Gardasil. In march, Beasley Allen Law Firm committed financially to help them. Titled “One More Girl,” the documentary will share the stories of individuals and families devastated following a Gardasil injection.
A New Zealand mother, upset about a lack of notice her child’s school provided to parents about upcoming Gardasil vaccinations, has launched a website to warn parents about the dangers associated with the vaccine. Promoted as a prevention for cervical cancer by protecting against four types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), Gardasil is being recommended for girls and young women beginning at age 9. However, the vaccination has been linked to serious adverse effects, and more than 80 young women have died following Gardasil vaccinations.
New Zealand is the latest country whose parents seem to be playing “wait and see” with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, joining the UK, France and Canada in delaying or refusing the drug for their children. Canterbury reports the lowest Gardasil vaccination rate in the country for girls aged 12 to 14, according to a recent report by The Press news agency. Parents are opting to wait until their daughters are older to consider the vaccine, the news reports, despite the fact the series of three shots is offered at no cost to them.
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 recent news report says the prevalence and promotion of cervical cancer vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix may cause women who are vaccinated to skip vital medical screening that could save their lives. According to the story in a recent edition of Australia’s News Limited publication, The Advertiser, studies indicate women believe receiving the vaccine makes annual Pap smears unnecessary. However, because cervical cancer vaccines only protect against a few of the hundreds of types of human papillomavirus (HPV), Pap smears are still a very important part of being protected against cervical cancer.
