(Letters) Saturday, 20 October 2007, 01:00 PST
-- Marilyn Juds Prince George
The Gardasil program by Merck Pharmaceuticals to vaccinate females between ages nine and 26 has generated much criticism. In the U.S., individual states are disputing whether the drug should be mandatory.
However, it appears, in both the U.S. and Canada parents can opt out their child for religious or ethical considerations. This fall Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador and P.E.I. began HPV vaccinations of young girls. B.C. plans to begin vaccinations of all Grade 6 girls next September.
PROBLEMS:
When the drug was tested, only 1,200 nine-to-15 year-olds were studied; of them only 100 were nine-year olds.
Medical personnel merely used results in adult test scenarios to predict positive results for a younger demographic.
A Gardasil monograph states: Efficacy in this age group (9-13) has not been demonstrated.
All reported HPV vaccine trials, whether by Gardasil or its competitor, Cervarix, were funded in all or part by the vaccine's manufacturers.
According to the National Vaccine Information Center, about 60 per cent of trial volunteers taking Gardasil complained of headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting or diarrhea.
Judicial Watch is a public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption. Its president, through the Freedom of Information Act, learned that girls and women often experienced "horrific reactions" after taking Gardasil: on record are spontaneous abortions and fetal abnormalities in pregnant women.
He found a further 1,637 adverse events reports, of which 371 were serious; as well as three deaths related to heart problems or blood clotting. About one-quarter of adverse effects reports indicated that females, after taking Gardasil, experienced neurological events, including grand mal seizures, movement disorders and blackouts or fainting. One 10-year old became faint after receiving the shot, fell down and broke her nose.
It was no mistake that medical authorities prefer the school as the vaccination venue. School is associated with conformity; line up and don't protest. Wide-eyed girls, at the behest of their elders, file up to be greeted by the woman with the needle. An Orwellian nightmare emerges.
Peer pressure may bring around some doubters. But this could easily backfire, depending on who and how many girls opt out. The holdouts might just be perceived as the only winners.
"The pharma corps are engaged in the systematic corruption of the medical profession, country by country." -- John le Carre, British author.
Merck sales in the U.S. alone are expected to reach $1 billion in its first year of availability.
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