Recently our local public health unit issued a media release urging parents to get their eighth grade girls the "vaccine that prevents infection from the Human Papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer."
On the subject of side effects, they stated that the HPV vaccine is safe, and "to date, there have been no serious adverse reactions to the HPV vaccine." They claimed the only side effects have been minor soreness or redness at the injection site.
I have been reading about girls receiving the vaccine worldwide, and passing out, going into shock, becoming temporarily paralyzed, and so forth. Even a moderate, pro-vaccine article on the CBC stated that 220 adverse reactions to Gardasil had been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada, and mentioned cases outside Canada of things like anaphylactic shock.
It also quoted an epidemiologist from McGill who said "it still isn't known if the vaccine will save lives and whether or not it's worth the cost," which contradicts the health unit's claim that the vaccine prevents cervical cancer, period.
Is there any way this media statement can be considered accurate? Is it worth trying to get them to revise it?
On the subject of side effects, they stated that the HPV vaccine is safe, and "to date, there have been no serious adverse reactions to the HPV vaccine." They claimed the only side effects have been minor soreness or redness at the injection site.
I have been reading about girls receiving the vaccine worldwide, and passing out, going into shock, becoming temporarily paralyzed, and so forth. Even a moderate, pro-vaccine article on the CBC stated that 220 adverse reactions to Gardasil had been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada, and mentioned cases outside Canada of things like anaphylactic shock.
It also quoted an epidemiologist from McGill who said "it still isn't known if the vaccine will save lives and whether or not it's worth the cost," which contradicts the health unit's claim that the vaccine prevents cervical cancer, period.
Is there any way this media statement can be considered accurate? Is it worth trying to get them to revise it?
