SMR: Cancer Vaccine Scare

A NEWS.com.au report this morning stated: "THE new cervical cancer jab is believed to be behind a huge jump in the number of women and girls suffering bad reactions to vaccinations."

The new cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, is being primarily named as the reason for a large increase in reported adverse reactions to vaccines in the medical community. These statements refer primarily to school-aged girls who recieved the Gardasil vaccination in conjunction with other vaccines during routine innoculations by school nursing staff.

A report released by the National Vaccine Information Centre and reported in an article on the Medical News Today website in February 2007, the reactions reported by the 16 and under group were consistently found when the Gardasil vaccine in conjunction with other school-age vaccines. NVIC President Barbara Loe Fisher was quoted as saying:
"Because Merck only studied GARDASIL in fewer than 1200 girls under age 16 in pre-licensure trials, it is critical that doctors and parents be made aware of the nature of the initial adverse event reports ..."

Doctors are stressing to patients and the media that the benifits of this vaccine far outweigh the risks when used in suggested age groups. The Australian Federal government has funded a program providing this vaccine free to girls aged 12 to 13 through a school program. They are also offered free to 13 to 18 year old girls as part of a 'catch-up' program, and to young women aged up to 26 through their GP.

In my humble opinion, parents should be aware of the potential side effects of this - and any - vaccine their child is to recieve at school. Especially since Gardasil was under-tested by the manufacturer, Merck, during its' pre-licensing phase.

I do still think that it is a worthwhile vaccine for all women eligible. The ideal way for this vaccine to be introduced is to girls before they become sexually active - and let's face it, a growing percentage of young girls are potentially exposing themselves to HPV before they have had the chance to become protected.

I personally have had the course of Gardasil vaccinations, and while it was a rather stingy injection, I suffered no ill-effects beyond a little dizziness after the first treatment. So, I'll have to agree with the doctors on this one.

Do you research, weigh the benifits and risks, and do what you think is right.