Warning: What Every Parent (with daughters) Should Know About the Gardasil Vaccination

July 18, 2007

Warning: What Every Parent (with daughters) Should Know About the Gardasil Vaccination

Lots of people are raving about the new vaccine that has been approved pertaining to the HPV (Human papillomavirus) epidemic -- including the First Lady, Laura Bush, apparently. This new vaccine has been well received by the medical community and the media as well as many government agencies. While it may look great on the surface, there are some facts we as parents need to be aware of before we subject our young daughters to this vaccination.

First, it's important to note (for those of you unfamiliar with HPV) that it is a sexually transmitted virus spread through sexual contact (whether a condom is used or not); it has virtually no visible symptoms; and it has been proven to cause cervical cancer. (For more information on HPV go to the CDC's web page.)

Gardasil is a new vaccine on the market that asserts it is "the only cervical cancer vaccine for girls and young women ages 9 - 26 years." While Merck, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Gardasil, states it "may not fully protect everyone" it also gives the public the sense that it is a substantial protective measure, stating that "GARDASIL IS PART OF YOUR DAUGHTER'S RECOMMENDED VACCINATION SCHEDULE."

The problems with Gardasil are numerous.

It only protects against FOUR types of HPV (which calculates to about 70% of all HPV infections). There are more than 100 strains of the virus (as reported by the CDC).

Merck does not know how long the antibody protection will last, meaning this vaccine may offer only passive, temporary immunity.

No studies have been done on the administration of girls younger than 15.

Gardasil has not been tested for long-term safety.

Eighty-two reports of reactions to Gardasil have been received in the first six months following the FDA's approval of the vaccine.

Giving this vaccine to girls and young women may (and will most likely) lead to a false sense of security where this sexually transmitted virus is concerned.

Critics fear that women may forgo highly effective annual pap exams in favor of the Gardasil vaccine.

It also suggests to our daughters that we expect them to be sexually active and that we condone such behavior. (The detrimental affects of communicating such values to our children is an important component to the STD epidemic as well as the high number of pregnancies outside of marriage and the occurrence of abortion.)

My biggest concern, however, is how some government agencies are responding to this new vaccine. Efforts are underway to make Gardasil a state mandated vaccine. The governor of Texas is reported to have signed legislation making the vaccine mandatory in his state. Approximately 24 other states, including my home state of Colorado, are considering the HPV Vaccine School Requirement and 49 states have some sort of legislation to consider on their books. The political group Women in Government has initiated The Challenge to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Campaign to promote statewide mandates for the vaccine. It has also been reported (by Mothering Magazine) that Merck is financing this campaign and hopes to generate $3 billion in annual sales from Gardasil. Mothering Magazine also reported that Merck & Co. has made financial contributions to some politicians to encourage the mandating of the administration of Gardasil.

Please take the time to learn more about this vaccine and about efforts to make it mandatory. And remember:

Evil prospers when good people do nothing.

For the Kingdom,
Mary

Posted by mary at July 18, 2007 12:00 PM