HPV Vaccine: Safe?

Karen Gatlin

Contributor

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Over a year ago, the FDA approved GARDASIL for use as a vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a virus thought to cause cervical cancer, and the FDA recommended vaccinating young women against it. Unfortunately adverse effects have been reported, ranging from seizures and shock to a neurological condition known as Guillian-Barre Syndrome, the latter causing weakness and, at times, paralysis, which may become permanent. Less serious effects are headache, joint pain, speech problems, dizziness, and fainting. The vaccine is intended to be administered in three separate doses, and side effects invariably appear after the first dose, usually that same day. Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, has been advised to warn against these events in a package insert. For further information, see www.NVIC.org