Adverse Effects of HPV Vaccine

Thanks to a contributor from a yahoo group I’m in, I came across this article at Jewish World Review. It caught my eye, because I have definite reluctance about the HPV vaccine. Then I read it. And shivered.

The vaccine is claimed to be safe and “well-tolerated,” but studies have involved only a few thousand women, most over 16 years of age, for less than five years. In one study, “arthritic symptoms” occurred three times as often in subjects who got the vaccine, compared to subjects who only got the control vaccine. An increased risk of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, “a deforming, devastating, lifelong disease, is being watched for.”

There’s also information about some suspicious outcomes related to Guillan-Barre Syndrome, which is an autoimmune disorder that makes losing to Michigan sound like a blast of fun to this Ohio State gal. And they mention something called syncope, which I’m not signing up to test out either.

The conclusion they draw is the same they drew with their earlier article, that until there’s long-term results and some conclusive proof of safety, “there is no need to rush to vaccination.”

Tell me again just how this got put into legislation (or considered) in some areas (my own included)? Required? Yeah, safe to say I know just where I sit on that issue. I’m firmly on the “no way, Jose!” side of the fence with the mandatory vaccinations. (Just in case you were wondering.)

Catholic Mom

Sarah,
The reason legislation to mandate this vaccine was rushed to passage is that Merck (manufacturer of the vaccine) spent a great deal of money lobbying for it. As a physician and a mom I’ve been following this issue pretty closely. I first wrote about the mandating of the vaccine here. I oppose making the vaccine mandatory. The next thing you know my site meter shows that someone from Merck is looking at my blog. Then suddenly, an anonymous commenter who claims to be a physician begins posting on my blog in support of the vaccine mandate. I could tell from my site meter these comments were coming from New Jersey near Merck headquarters. I cannot prove this commenter is associated with Merck, but it is certainly suspicious.

The Catholic Medical Association has come out with a statement stating there is nothing unethical about the production or use of the vaccine. However, mandating the vaccine usurps a role that belongs to parents. When a parent decides the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks, he/she can opt to have his/her daughter vaccinated. My daughter is seventeen. The vaccine does not have a long enough safety history for me to feel comfortable getting her vaccinated.
Literacy-chic

I think I wrote about this a while back, too–about the unfairness of singling out young girls for a vaccine that implies a lifestyle choice that I don’t particularly condone and would like my daughters to reject also. To give in to this vaccine would be to admit that the moral education I am attempting will fail.

I read a good article recently in Mothering Magazine that addresses the faulty studies conducted. I will not have my daughters immunized for HPV!! (I still object to chicken pox!)
Anonymous

This vaccine is from the people who gave us Vioxx. They can’t answer how long the vaccine will last..5 years, 10 years?? Will girl need repeat booster shots?? And at what cost to her health? Is Merck interested in making this vaccine mandatory because of all the money they lost on Vioxx? I doubt they are pedaling this vaccine out of the goodness of their corporate hearts..it’s all about money…sue