Many parents ask me about the safety of various vaccinations. Generally, my suggestion is for people to fully understand the risk of the disease the vaccination is poised to prevent and then to understand the possible side effects of the vaccination itself. A frequent question I get is about Gardasil, the new HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine made by Merck. Gardasil was recently approved for wide distribution for the prevention of HPV infection in teenage girls. HPV is the virus known to cause cervical cancer. Gardasil has been shown to prevent the infection of about 70% of the HPV strains. It is the assumption of doctors who administer the vaccines and the public health organizations that support the development and implementation of the vaccine that this vaccine can be widely used to prevent a life threatening cancer that affect women.
Well, hold the phone. Here's a reality check on some new and old facts about cervical cancer and HPV. First, cervical cancer leads to about 3,700 deaths per year in the US compared to about 300,000 annual deaths that heart disease lays claim to. It's true if you were one of those 3,700 people that die of cervical cancer like the unfortunate death of the actress
Jane Goody at the age of 27 it becomes very personal. However, since HPV is very treatable in early stages and that every sexually woman knows to get a pap-smear every year, then women should think twice about getting the HPV vaccine.
The dark side of vaccines have been argued for years with opponents claiming various auto-immune, cancer and neurological problems with many vaccines. The vaccines with the most contention is the MMR (measles mumps rubella) vaccine and Thimerosal, a preservative placed in some vaccinations (such as flu shots) that contains almost 50% mercury by weight.
Thimerosal and the MMR vaccine have been thought to contribute to the development of autism in some kids. Since I treat autistic children, I've seen a number of regressions in young children after the administration of vaccinations and don't recommend them for children at risk for developing autism.
New information has been coming to light about the risk of Gardasil and the development of a juvenile form of ALS or
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or commonly known as Lou Gherig's disease named after the famous baseball player who died of the disease. The CDC is more closely looking at the potential relationship between
Gardasil and juvenile ALS. Because of the rareness of the ALS relationship it was not seen in Merck's trials when they tested the vaccine. But recently, there were three cases of ALS in their teens causing the death of two of the girls after the administration of Gardasil. Interestingly, the CDC acknowledged a similar pattern with the use of the anthrax vaccination and ALS. Now with all things being equal and knowing what I know in the treatment of HPV using herbs and vitamins, I know that I would rather treat someone for HPV and cervical dysplasia than to help them reverse the devastating process of paralysis and ALS.
So buyer beware. All you parents out there should think twice about vaccinating your teenage daughters with Gardasil without more information on the potential devastating side effects of this vaccine. Meantime, talk to them about safe sex practices, the importance of regular visits to the gynecologist and pap-smears and personal responsibility in health. Know that your naturopathic doctor can offer treatment of HPV and cervical dysplasia with little or no side effect and a 98% cure rate. Until this vaccine has been used for longer and shown to be very safe one should proceed with caution.
Share on Facebook
Hi! My mom recently had her 2nd shot of this Gardasil vaccine. And yes, just recently, i found out that there were many reported side effects of this vaccine. My mom experienced severe headache, itchiness, difficulty in breathing, and palpitation after 2 days the 2nd shot was given to her. We went to the doctor but they said that her heart is fine, according to lab tests as well. And probably she was just allergic to the advil she took. After 2 more days, she was then rushed to hospital due to chest pain. The doctor said it was just a heart burn and she had gastritis/ gastroenteritis. She also vomited and have some muscle/joint pain. She still experience these side effects at present especially insomnia, dizziness/nausea, fever and muscle/joint pain. Please advise us what to do to alleviate her suffering from these side effects. Last shot of vaccine is still in schedule, is it safe to be vaccinated again considering these side effects. They should have informed us about these side effects. I'm really worried about my mom. Please advise us some treatments to lessen/cure these side effects. Thanks. I'll wait for your reply. Pls email me your reply. Thank you so much.
Posted by: Astrid April Dominguez | September 11, 2009 at 05:56 AM
The reason they do 3 shots of Gardasil is that it takes that many shots for the majority of people doing the vaccine to develop immunity. It is, however, possible to get just one vaccination and develop immunity from it shortly. So it is possible for your mom to be already immune. They can test for the immunity but I'm not sure how willing her doctor would be to do this. It does sound like her symptoms were from her second shot. This can be due to an allergy to one of the components in the vaccine. It is also possible for her to be having a reaction to the Advil since vomiting and heartburn can be due to one dose of advil taken on an empty stomach. The joint pain, however, is unlikely due to the Advil. I would go to the health food store and get the homeopathic remedy called Thuja 30C, take one dose (usually about 5 pellets) 3 times per day for about a week. This usually (most of the time) alleviates side effects from vaccinations. I would have your mom educate herself about why she is really taking Gardasil. If she is sexually active and plans to have numerous partners, this is a good reason to possibly (POSSIBLY) consider the vaccine. But if she is in a monogamous relationship or having protected sex she is unlikely to catch HPV and thus will have less need for the vaccine. Also, just so you and she knows, HPV is VERY easy to treat naturopathically. So even if she was in the first case (more partners, higher risk of developing HPV) then I would just be safe and avoid the 3rd vaccine and be careful sexually.
Posted by: Dr. Suzann Wang | September 11, 2009 at 07:40 AM