CDC says Gardasil needs more study

From CNN:

Major concerns about a vaccine given to many teen girls. The Centers for Disease Control says Gardasil helps prevent certain types of cervical cancer. But since Gardasil hit the market two and a half years ago - there's been an alarming number of serious adverse reactions and even deaths that some say are linked to the vaccineand as more girls come forward alleging the vaccine made them sick, the more confusion and mystery there is surrounding Gardasil and its manufacturer Merck.

According to a federal tracking system - called Vaers - there have been 9,749 adverse reactions following the vaccination -- and 21 reported deaths since 2006. But Merck - Gardasil's maker - points out these are anecdotal cases.

In a statement, Merck officials say quote: "An adverse experience report describes an event that occurred after vaccination and does not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused or contributed to the event."

The acting immunization safety director for the Centers for Disease Control - says Vaers does not provide enough information for researchers to prove whether Gardasil caused any of the side effects reported, and that the majority of the 8 million girls who have gotten the vaccine have had no problems.

While the CDC believes Gardasil is safe - a conservative watchdog group called Judicial Watch, which has been studying Gardasil safety, says parents' concerns about the vaccine are valid.

The CDC says it's working on a comprehensive study right now that will determine whether or not there is a pattern that links Gardasil to some of these serious side effects. That study is expected to be released in October.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

More Gardasil Woes

From ABC:

Gardasil, the vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer is coming under fresh scrutiny amid thousands of complaints linking it to a range of health problems. Girls and women have blamed the vaccine for causing ailments from nausea to paralysis to even death.

15 deaths were reported to the FDA, and 10 were confirmed, but the CDC says none of the 10 were linked to the vaccine. The maker of the vaccine, Merck & Company incorporated says it has distributed more than 26 million gardasil vaccines worldwide, including nearly 16 million in the United States.

Merck says while it continues to evaluate reports of adverse reactions to the vaccine, it could just be a coincidence that some women have fallen ill after receiving the shot.

Many people who have really studied this vaccine are crying foul, saying it wasn't tested appropriately and should be taken off the market. How are we as parents supposed to know who to believe? Here are the past links on Gardasil that talk about the controversy.

Gardasil Vaccine Warning

New HPV Article

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Methodist Medical Center's new online healthcare program, MyMethodist eHealth, is a proud sponsor of this blog post. MyMethodist eHealth is the secure link to your doctor's office that lets you request appointments, order prescription refills, update your personal health record, and more. Sign up for MyMethodist eHealth here.

Gardasil Vaccine Warning

At the Autism One Conference a couple moms talked to me about the Gardasil vaccine to prevent HPV. They were concerned about the side effects. Today at the television station, we ran this story from the medical company Medstar:

Recently, the CDC reported that, in the last two years, more than 450 youngsters fainted after getting a vaccination. That may explain why some teeangers are taking a new position on the HPV vaccine.

When 13-year-old Lauren Breidigam had a vaccination to prevent cervical cancer, she got more than the typical pain, redness and swelling at the injection site. She conked out. Lauren Beidigam said, "I remember feeling her put the band aid on and then I just went."

Heather Breidigam said, "It was almost like she didn't have a bone in her body and she started to twitch and I had said to the nurse, I said 'oh my gosh, she's out, she's out cold.'" That surprised both Breidigams. They didn't see fainting listed as a side effect on their patient information sheet. It wasn't until after the incident that heather saw it mentioned on the vaccine company's website.

Heather Breidigam said, "I wish, as a parent, I would have known that. I think I would have been a little more prepared." Researchers aren't sure why, but about 10 percent of girls in studies for the vaccine got dizzy or passed out after the shot. Dr. Larry Glazerman said, "That was in both patients receiving vaccine and placebo. the incidence was about the same. so again, is it because you're coming at an adolescent girl with a needle? I don't know, but it certainly might be."

To be safe rather than sorry, doctors are proposing an easy solution. Dr. Larry Glazerman said, "The recommendation as a result of this, is pretty simple. just that you give them a vaccine either sitting down or lying down and you watch them for 15 or 20 minutes just to make sure that they don't have any significant reaction." The vaccine is given in a series of three shots. lauren has two more to go. And, now all the wiser, she'll be prepared. She plans to take them lying down. The Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer and genital warts.

It's recommended for girls ages 9 to 26. For more information and a full list of side effects go to the drug company's website at Gardasil.com

You can also find more in depth information about this story on WHOI.

Where do you stand on this controversy?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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