Gardasil: Is It REALLY Worth It?

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The Ugly Truth About Gardasil

Gardasil is a vaccine that reportedly helps protect against the 4 most common types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is recommended for females between 9 and 26 years of age. The manufacturer is also seeking FDA approval for use in women aged 27 to 45 as well. With all of the media hype about how wonderful it would be to be “one less” woman affected by HPV, it may sound like a good thing to have your daughter vaccinated...but there are some things you should know before you make this very important, possibly life-altering (or life-ending) decision.

• It is estimated that 11,070 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in the coming year.

• Cervical cancer is treatable. There are new forms of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy available for patients. Women who have routine Pap testing and follow up accordingly can identify problems before cervical cancer develops.

• The human immune system is usually strong enough to clear up HPV infection on its own and does so in most cases. The CDC admits to this fact on their website, however they still recommend that Gardasil be given to young girls.

• From the time that it was approved to May 1, 2009, Gardasil has reportedly been responsible for 13,758 “adverse events,” including the deaths of at least 39 girls and young women , and at least 10 spontaneous abortions. 31 cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome have been reported, with at least 10 of them have been confirmed and attributed to Gardasil. Some of the remainder did not have definitive enough evidence to link them to Gardasil, according to the manufacturer. Some were still under review according to the last report, given in 2007. 142 events considered to be “life-threatening” have been reported as adverse affects from Gardasil. These are only the records that have been reported officially. Who knows how many girls were affected whose families did not report that they had recently been vaccinated with Gardasil?

• Gardasil contains Polysorbate-80, which has been linked to infertility in mice.

• Studies it has been determined that using condoms reduces the risk of contracting HPV by 70%. Using condoms at least more than half of all times having intercourse reduces the risk by 50%.

So, before you make that appointment to have your daughter vaccinated with Gardasil, you must weigh the risks with the benefits. With so many girls and women suffering from adverse effects of Gardasil, is it worth putting your child at risk?