G is for Gardasil--Is It Safe?

Gardasil was introduced to the public in 2006 to prevent HPV (a virus) infections of the cervix. While someone with HPV will most likely clear the infection naturally (about 90% in 2 years), those that don't might develop lesions, which could become cervical cancer. Even though death rates have declined over the years, cervical cancer can still be deadly.

Image: Louisiana Cancer Prevention and Control Programs

Death Rate per 100,000 is:

blue states: 2.7 to 3.4

teal states: 2.1 to 2.7

light green states: 1.7 to 2.1

cream states: 1.2 to 1.7

How deadly is Garasil? 

Ever heard of VAERS? It's the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System for the US. Doctors are supposed to use it, but usually don't (so the numbers are probably underestimates). Anyone, including parents, can use it, but their reports might be seen as questionable or anecdotal (so the numbers are falsely inflated). Some estimate that the number of reports received by VAERS represent 10% or less of the actual number of adverse events (so the numbers are--GAH, I give up). 

Let's take a look at Gardasil's stats:

Image: Sanevax.org

So 315 reported deaths, which means that meme above is out-of-date. Why isn't there a huge media outcry?

1. Conspiracy theory: Big Pharma controls the media, including television and newspapers.

Have you watched the nightly news in the past few decades? If so, think of the commercials. How many were for drugs? Lots. Do you subscribe to a magazine? Go look and see how many pages are dedicated to pharmaceutical advertisement. 

Image from here.

2. If this many people were dying from Gardasil, there would be lawsuits. Lots of lawsuits. Big Pharma would go bankrupt.

Guess again. In 1986, laws were passed so that the pharmaceutical companies could not be sued for vaccines that are part of the national CDC schedule. Instead, there is a government vaccine court for these cases and it is extremely difficult to win a case here. 

Since 1998 through June 1, 2015, HRSA (Health Resources and Service Administration) reports that 14,812 claims were filed in the VICP (National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program). The total paid out to vaccine victims was about $3.1 billion. While 4,121 were compensated,  9,904 have been dismissed. Further, the majority of vaccine injuries never make it to vaccine court. (Source)

Where did this 3 billion come from? Who pays for this? You do. There is a tax on every vaccine passed on to the consumer.

What about other countries?

Spain, France, India, and Japan have all filed criminal lawsuits against HPV vaccine manufacturers. (Source)

Unlike airbags, vaccine injuries are complex, especially the ones associated with Gardasil. Doctors may not be trained to recognize the signs (and that goes for the ones conducting the autopsies as well.) If you'd like to learn more about the Gardasil controversy, there is an ocean of information to read or watch from those for and against this vaccine. Try googling Gardasil deaths or Gardasil injuries and enter the rabbit-hole.

Image Source

 If you decide the risks of this vaccine don't outweigh the benefits, remember that pap smears are very effective in detecting cervical cancer early, this cancer is highly treatable, and no one has died from a pap smear. Even Merck recommends them on the Gardasil insert.

Do you think vaccines are safe? Have you ever researched a vaccine for yourself or your children?