Even The Canadian Medical Society says "Wait" on Gardasil Vaccine

In a report to be released this month, The Canadian Medical Association sheds doubt on the efficacy of Gardasil, the new vaccine for HPV. It urges that before governments allocate huge sums of limited health care dollars to this vaccine, research needs to be done to determine if it really does prevent cancer. The FDA approved this vaccine without proving that it prevents cancer.

Everyone needs to be aware of this. Both of the articles in these links are definitely worth reading...and printing out for your friends.

COMMENT: Most HPV infections are cleared spontaneously. About 70% of infected women clear the infection within one year; within 2 years for 90% have eliminated the virus. Cervical cancer will not develop in most women, even if they are are infected with even a high-risk strain of HPV. Gardasil is the most expensive childhood vaccine, currently costing $360 for 3 doses. Yet, as the journal article points out, the cost-effectiveness analyses of the vaccine is missing.

Invasive cervical cancer is a slowly progressive disease that can be halted at various stages through the use of routine pap tests. Even more, vaccinated girls and women still need to practice safe sex--HIV and other sexually transmitted disease are out there and could be a much worse problem than HVP. The vaccine will give a very false sense of security about "protection."

Think long and hard before subjecting your daughter to Gardasil. Be sure to read the FULL package insert...and ask questions if you don't understand it. The Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests the use of the vaccine should be a matter of individual choice rather than a government mandate. I wholeheartedly agree.