Doctors Caution Against Taking Gardasil Lightly

finding Dulcinea

August 21, 2009 07:30 AM

Doctors urge a weighing of the risks and benefits of the HPV vaccine, even though a recent study finds that it is as safe as most vaccines.

To Gardasil or Not to Gardasil

In the wake of a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that vouches for the relative safety of Gardasil, a human papillomavirus vaccine, health experts continue to debate the benefits of a generalized application of the vaccine, Denise Mann writes for CNN.

Merck, the manufacturer, proclaims that “only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your daughter,” but the lead researcher for the study urges parents to become active participants in the decision.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) added Gardasil to its routine vaccination schedule in 2007, recommending it for 11- or 12-year-old girls. Some physicians have previously opined that, because the effectiveness of Gardasil after five years has not been established, vaccinations should start at a later age.

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Comment from Leslie

Make sure that you read the comments. As you read through the stats please keep in mind that according to the National Vaccine Information Center www.nvic.org ononly 1 to 10% are reporting adverse reactions. This really skews the stats that are reported in the article. Unfotunately as time and public awareness grows the stats will also increase and bear out our concerns.