July 7, 2008

HPV Vaccine Linked To Teen's Paralysis?

Her Father Thinks Gardasil Might Be; Drug's Maker Denies It

  • Photo

     (AP)

(CBS)  Jenny was a healthy 13-year-old living in Northern California -- until 15 months ago when, her parents say, she received the third and final shot of the vaccine designed to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV causes a large percentage of cases of cervical cancer.

Soon after getting that third injection, her parents say, Jenny began experiencing the first signs of a degenerative muscle disease. They say she's their daughter is now almost completely paralyzed.

Did Gardasil cause Jenny's condition?

Her family told CBS News it believes "there may be a link. But, there is no medical consensus on whether this hypothesis is stronger than other possible explanations."

Merck, Gardasil's maker, disputes that, saying in a statement, "Based on the facts that we've received, the information does not suggest that this event was causally associated with vaccination."

Jenny's father hopes a blog he started will prompt other teens with similar post-vaccination problems to come forward.

U.S. News & World report says there have been other possible adverse effects associated with Gardisil, though none has been confirmed.

The New York Post also says Gardasil may be causing some medical problems.

Cervical cancer is the second most deadly cancer women's cancer.

Since the Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil in 2006, some 8 million girls have received at least one of the three shots, with 13 million injections administered in all, the FDA says.

On The Early Show Monday, Dr. Holly Phillips of CBS station WCBS-TV in New York told substitute anchor Tracy Smith, "At this point we shouldn't be more worried than we've ever been. I think the biggest concern is -- parents want to know that, when they give the shots to their children, they're protecting them, not putting them in harm's way.

"Even though a case like Jenny's is incredibly tragic, we also have to be fair and make it very clear that it has not been linked with Gardasil. We understand the family's hypothesis, but still, the FDA, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) have not linked her case with Gardasil."

Putting things in perspective, Phillips said, "It has been tested on thousands and thousands of women before it ever hit the market. And, already, 8 million women have gotten the shot. So, it's really a relatively small number of complaints we're looking at, but they should be taken seriously. Yet, it's not time for parents to pull the plug and say, 'This is too risky for my child.' "

Phillips said other reports of possible problems stemming from Gardisil have been received on the CDC and FDA's VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System), on which anyone (substantiated or not) can report side affects they feel they are having to a drug or shot.

"Anyone with any concerns whatsoever after they've had the vaccine," can report those concerns via VAERS, Phillips sais, "and they could have had the vaccine a year ago or a week ago. It really doesn't matter. Anyone with any concerns can report them to this system. ... That doesn't mean they're necessarily linked with the vaccine. It just means you have a concern and you would like it looked at thoroughly."

The feds, says Phillips, take VAERS "very seriously. Every week, they actually sit down and look at these complaints. And what they're looking is not just an individual case, but they're really looking for multiple links where several women had the same effect."

MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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by shippg-2009 July 7, 2008 11:00 AM PDT
There had better not be any mercury in the vaccine. I hope we have learned our lessons on that long-lived fiasco of having mercury in everything.

Also, I was a virgin when we got married, but hubby was not. Gardasil did not exist then, but I would have been a willing taker. You can never predict whom your daughter will marry (even if she does not sleep around), so allow the vaccine (if it is proven to be safe).
Reply to this comment
by darnedsocks July 7, 2008 11:05 AM PDT
Well, if people were MONOGAMOUS, our society wouldn''t have to worry about diseases. Duh. I feel really sorry for this teen, caught up in all of this. It''s not fair.
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 July 7, 2008 11:14 AM PDT
"Did Gardasil cause Jenny''s condition?"

Of course it did. It has also caused several deaths. It doesn''t matter to the pharmaceutical companies. They will have stashed their ill-gotten proceeds in offshore accounts.

If you listen to the ads for Gardasil, they claim to prevent "some" forms of uterine cancer. Which ones? How will you know?

Why not have an annual Pap exam instead?
Reply to this comment
by kittykatty2 July 7, 2008 11:44 AM PDT
MOTHERS - DO NOT SEND YOUR DAUGHTERS TO BE VACCINATED WITH GARDISIL. There have been a number of problems with this vaccine in Europe and Australia. Some silly *** on the Today show poo-pood it stating that it was just girls fainting...as teenage girls will do if they see a needle. This *** drug has not been proven to guard against anything. If you can''t see that it''s the huge conglomerate pharmas and their greedy *** stockholders that want you to administer this to your kids for $$$$$, then why don''t you try it out??????? Let''s see how much trust you have in the drug when it''s you as the lab rat.
Reply to this comment
by twiggy71-2009 July 7, 2008 11:52 AM PDT
I had cervical cancer when I was 30 years old, which was 51 years ago. I have had *** with one man in my life and that is my husband of 51 years.
Reply to this comment
by acolton1 July 7, 2008 11:56 AM PDT
Nothing is Perfect: Somebody Someplace Somewhere is going to have a reaction to this vaccine.
Reply to this comment
by nothappyatall July 7, 2008 12:02 PM PDT
"Why not have an annual Pap exam instead?

Posted by barbaraf4"

Why not just dont have s3x with other humans and avoid ALL std''s and this cancer as well as pregnancy.
Reply to this comment
by ejcspau July 7, 2008 12:08 PM PDT
any parent who would take their daughter to get this vaccine should have their children taken away. It''s just one more way drug companies make money: put the fear of death in parents heads, get them to shoot their children up with untested drugs that have no guarantee of stopping anything. That is the problem with society today. Parents don''t want to be responsible for their kids. Give ''em drugs, make them immune to everything. They will only die quicker. I''m glad I dont'' have a daughter. What did women do before now? We survived just fine. Probabaly a man created the drug anyway.
Reply to this comment
by jenjenfamily July 7, 2008 12:20 PM PDT
For Jenny''s family''s response to this story, please see www.jenjensfamily.blogspot.com
Reply to this comment
by actornaught July 7, 2008 12:20 PM PDT
Mandated gardasil vaccination is another Corporate Entitlement.

We have the best goverment Big Pharma can buy...
Reply to this comment
by jenjenfamily July 7, 2008 12:21 PM PDT
For Jenny''s family''s response to this story, please see www.jenjensfamily.blogspot.com
Reply to this comment
by jenjenfamily July 7, 2008 12:26 PM PDT
For Jenny''s family''s response to this story, please see her blog, linked above.
Reply to this comment
by susieq_13 July 7, 2008 12:33 PM PDT
Never, never trust a vaccine that hasn''t been out long enough. I nearly lost my 17 yr old daughter when she was 2 months old due to her very 1st set of immunizations. Now she has the mind of a one month old b/c of the vaccines the government says are ok. Ha, what a joke the FDA is.
Reply to this comment
by mollydtt July 7, 2008 12:34 PM PDT
Is there some valid reason for posting something 50+ times? On a different note, I remember years ago buying an herbal supplement recommended to me by several friends. Somehow, I forgot to take it on the day that I intended to. Later on, that day I started experiencing a terrible headache and and unexplained fever. It went away in a few days, but I remember thinking about the fact that if I had indeed taken that herbal supplement for the first time, I would have sworn on a stack of bibles that that was the cause of my mysterious "reaction".
Reply to this comment
by sassalin July 7, 2008 12:38 PM PDT
Please read the statement from the family. The CBS article is not even close the what they are trying accomplish. They just want to save their daughter.
Reply to this comment
by tlparp July 7, 2008 12:38 PM PDT
To jenjenfamily - while you might have a valid complaint, posting the same post over and over again just makes you look stupid, so nobody is going to pay any attention to what you have to say. Had you posted once, I''d have looked at the blog, but since you posted multiple times, I''m not going there, and don''t really care.
Reply to this comment
by kphx July 7, 2008 12:47 PM PDT
Never mind. Merck found the issue. They have another shot that kidas need to take, to fix the problem that Gardasil creates.
Reply to this comment
by sassalin July 7, 2008 12:48 PM PDT
tlparp,

I thought that at first but looked anyway and as usual the media has taken someone''s ideas or words and twisted them. Take a look. They are trying to get the real story out there and save their daughter.
Reply to this comment
by jenjenf July 7, 2008 1:07 PM PDT
The multiple postings by jenjenfamily were inadvertent. Clicking the Publish button produced a message that the publish button was temporarily disabled, but without any indication that the message had been posted.
Reply to this comment
by missingamerica July 7, 2008 1:19 PM PDT
"May be"? "Not confirmed"?

Hey - I get enough hypothetical-news-designed-to-scare-you from Fox, CBS...
Reply to this comment
by susan10001-2009 July 7, 2008 1:23 PM PDT
A friend of mines son was given his vaccination''s as a baby, he was totally healthy until then.

Afterwards, a vegetable, pretty much. He died at 22.
Reply to this comment
by susanhelit July 7, 2008 1:27 PM PDT
People had degenerative muscle diseases before any vaccine ever existed. There is such a thing as coincidence. You give enough people a vaccine, some of them will get sick the next day - only because they would have gotten sick the next day no matter what.

Her family is looking for a reason - and sometimes there isn''t one. These things just happen - they have all throughout history.
Reply to this comment
by susanhelit July 7, 2008 2:20 PM PDT
Cervical cancer kills. It kills a lot of people. It kills about FIVE THOUSAND women a year (and maims many more) in the USA alone, 253,000 a year worldwide.

Most likely, Jenny would have gotten sick with or without the vaccine. People do get sick without vaccines. They always have. It''s a coincidence. Had she not had the vaccine, her family would now be looking to power lines, chemicals on foods, or any one of a number of other things we could think were to blame. Simple truth is that sometimes things do just happen.
Reply to this comment
by rebetroyer July 7, 2008 2:23 PM PDT
Your body will become immune to what is necessary. Wouldn''t it be better to maintain a healthy immune system so that your body can fight off dangers on it''s own? I know, this seems extreme. My real point is that it doesn''t make sense to jump on this new bandwagon. Personally, I would never give this to my child. However, I might consider other vaccines. My husband chose to give it to his daughter...I supported their decision, but I am quite concerned. Is there going to be a time when we return to the way my parents thought? I grew up in a home that relied upon homeopathic cures and only used "Western" medication when absolutely necessary. Would this really be so bad? I''m a HS teacher and it breaks my heart to see all of these misguided teenagers. Where are their parents and why aren''t they teaching them to protect themselves? Giving medicine and unnecessary vaccines are not the answer to everything. I swear, I''m even concerned about the spray sunblock I''ve been using. I wouldn''t be surprised to find out in 20 years that it really doesn''t protect as well as stated. In my opinion, medicine is not always the answer and when it is, it''s best to make sure its been around long enough to be proven effective.
Reply to this comment
by psk123-2009 July 7, 2008 2:24 PM PDT
susieq_13 wrote:
Never, never trust a vaccine that hasn''''t been out long enough. I nearly lost my 17 yr old daughter when she was 2 months old due to her very 1st set of immunizations. Now she has the mind of a one month old b/c of the vaccines the government says are ok. Ha, what a joke the FDA is.


I have to agree with this. Shortly after taking a final round of shots my twins suddenly went from healthy babies to spiking fevers of 105.6 and 106.5, going into sezure and stopped breathing. They are now 20 years old and still can not remember things. My next child died after the first round of shots. Six years after the twins episode, my then youngest had the same reaction at the same age. Coincidence? I think not.

Thirty-six immunizations by the time a child is three years old is way too many. Many have heavy metals as a preservative. My youngest child (a suprise meopause baby) will not get any of these shots.
Reply to this comment
by toldyouso12 July 7, 2008 2:26 PM PDT
Several things wrong with this story, if one speaks in scientific jargon: first the reference to casual association.

"Merck, Gardasil''s maker, disputes that, saying in a statement, "Based on the facts that we''ve received, the information does not suggest that this event was causally associated with vaccination."

TRANSLATION: ''We have negative or questionable data from longer term studies; but YOU don''t and the public can''t prove anything without years and years of clinical data, and we will try to punch holes in that, if we have to.''

This means the company is saying you can''t prove anything by this one case, so there.

____________________________

Since the Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil in 2006, some 8 million girls have received at least one of the three shots, with 13 million injections administered in all, the FDA says....
"...but still, the FDA, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) have not linked her case with Gardasil."

Putting things in perspective, Phillips said, "It has been tested on thousands and thousands of women before it ever hit the market. And, already, 8 million women have gotten the shot."

TRANSLATION: At least 8 million girls have gotten at least one shot and we know this has nothing to do with the fact that all 8 million had one shot when paralysis showed up after the 3rd shot, plus, the FDA has not called us on it yet and until they do, we get to say the product is safe and avoid lawsuits" see next post

Reply to this comment
by toldyouso12 July 7, 2008 2:28 PM PDT
Unfortunately, it will take hundreds of cases similar to this one before the FDA will act to retest or assess this drug. Why? Billions at stake in revenue and lawsuits. That''s why--in the mean time, all those who go ahead are participating in a great experiment on their children.

Fact: most deleterious effects of drugs are found out with the patients as human guinea pigs over time. Clinical trials rarely mimic real life and data is often tailored to minimize bad results--esp. prior to submitting to the FDA. It will take years before the FDA has enough deaths or paralysis or other adverse effects and can pull this drug. That''s years and millions of girls who cannot be saved. Think Thalidomide, or Phen-Phen or other killers that only came to light after millions were already destroyed.

My girls will NOT be getting this vaccine. Stop participating in human guinea pig experiments--just because the FDA says a drug is safe, does not mean that it is--with billions involved--MDA can get quickly approved even while the jury is still out. See Generic Drug scandals of the 1980s.
Reply to this comment
by toldyouso12 July 7, 2008 2:34 PM PDT

Posted by shippg at 11:00 AM : Jul 07, 2008


clinical trials for most drugs are 3 to 5 years. But most drugs can NEVER cover the myriad of human conditions nor can they mimic environmental factors, individual genetics, or the dozens of medications that can have contraindications when mixed. Testing is done with control subjects that scientists hope will reflect the average, healthy person''s condition.

If there is any anomaly, or taking of cold meds or anything that is slightly different, the long term result can be different for that one person or it can be a broad enough difference to have the same negative effect on many people. Most researchers know, when putting a new drug on the market--that the real place to find out if it is safe or not is in the market place, on real humans over a period of years. This means that many products are not safe and that the way YOU and your family will find out is after the 3rd shot, while living your life--and then it falls apart--when enough have that happen, as in the case of Phen Phen , Tetracycline and other products--the drug is then pulled, restudied and deemed a killer or its use in modified--but whatever the case, the damage it will have done to you and yours is permanent. HPV is NOT an STD--you don''t get it from your husband it is a virus. We still don''t know if it is predisposed genetically in some women. We do know that this drug has way too many adverse affects right out the gate to be considered safe.
Reply to this comment
by toldyouso12 July 7, 2008 2:44 PM PDT
Most likely, Jenny would have gotten sick with or without the vaccine.
Posted by SusanHelit at 02:20 PM : Jul 07, 2008


It may not be a coincidence. It may be that genetically, there is some trigger between the vaccine and the ingredients in the vaccine (excipients) and the patient. Viral vaccines are not new drugs, they are either weakened or dead parts of the real virus taken from the wild strain. When you get a viral vaccine, you are either getting a "killed virus" or an attenuated virus. This means that the protein that makes up the virus is introduced into the body or that a weaker version of the virus is introduced. Either way, that protein coat from the virus causes the body to react. Sometimes that reaction is overkill and the body begins to attack itself. Sometimes, the weakened virus turns out to be not so weak and can kill the patient. The fact that the symptoms was/is not cervical cancer but paralysis, trends toward the child''s body having an adverse reaction which caused her cells to attack themselves.

This happens--if no genetic cross correlation was done, it may happen more as people near the 3rd shot. She may have been predisposed to certain illnesses, but introduction of poorly tested substances could also be the trigger. This product is problematic and will continue to be so--and no one should faint in significant numbers after taking a vaccine--unless it is producing other results not anticipated.
Reply to this comment
by rebetroyer July 7, 2008 2:49 PM PDT
Your body will become immune to what is necessary. Wouldn''t it be better to maintain a healthy immune system so that your body can fight off dangers on it''s own? I know, this seems extreme. My real point is that it doesn''t make sense to jump on this new bandwagon. Personally, I would never give this to my child. However, I might consider other vaccines. My husband chose to give it to his daughter...I supported their decision, but I am quite concerned. Is there going to be a time when we return to the way my parents thought? I grew up in a home that relied upon homeopathic cures and only used "Western" medication when absolutely necessary. Would this really be so bad? I''m a HS teacher and it breaks my heart to see all of these misguided teenagers. Where are their parents and why aren''t they teaching them to protect themselves? Giving medicine and unnecessary vaccines are not the answer to everything. I swear, I''m even concerned about the spray sunblock I''ve been using. I wouldn''t be surprised to find out in 20 years that it really doesn''t protect as well as stated. In my opinion, medicine is not always the answer and when it is, it''s best to make sure its been around long enough to be proven effective.
Reply to this comment
by rebetroyer July 7, 2008 2:49 PM PDT
Your body will become immune to what is necessary. Wouldn''t it be better to maintain a healthy immune system so that your body can fight off dangers on it''s own? I know, this seems extreme. My real point is that it doesn''t make sense to jump on this new bandwagon. Personally, I would never give this to my child. However, I might consider other vaccines. My husband chose to give it to his daughter...I supported their decision, but I am quite concerned. Is there going to be a time when we return to the way my parents thought? I grew up in a home that relied upon homeopathic cures and only used "Western" medication when absolutely necessary. Would this really be so bad? I''m a HS teacher and it breaks my heart to see all of these misguided teenagers. Where are their parents and why aren''t they teaching them to protect themselves? Giving medicine and unnecessary vaccines are not the answer to everything. I swear, I''m even concerned about the spray sunblock I''ve been using. I wouldn''t be surprised to find out in 20 years that it really doesn''t protect as well as stated. In my opinion, medicine is not always the answer and when it is, it''s best to make sure its been around long enough to be proven effective.
Reply to this comment
by rebetroyer July 7, 2008 2:55 PM PDT
Your body will become immune to what is necessary. Wouldn''t it be better to maintain a healthy immune system so that your body can fight off dangers on it''s own? I know, this seems extreme. My real point is that it doesn''t make sense to jump on this new bandwagon. Personally, I would never give this to my child. However, I might consider other vaccines. My husband chose to give it to his daughter...I supported their decision, but I am quite concerned. Is there going to be a time when we return to the way my parents thought? I grew up in a home that relied upon homeopathic cures and only used "Western" medication when absolutely necessary. Would this really be so bad? I''m a HS teacher and it breaks my heart to see all of these misguided teenagers. Where are their parents and why aren''t they teaching them to protect themselves? Giving medicine and unnecessary vaccines are not the answer to everything. I swear, I''m even concerned about the spray sunblock I''ve been using. I wouldn''t be surprised to find out in 20 years that it really doesn''t protect as well as stated. In my opinion, medicine is not always the answer and when it is, it''s best to make sure its been around long enough to be proven effective.
Reply to this comment
by ra3628 July 7, 2008 3:00 PM PDT
My comment is to the editor.. Has the writer of this article taken any grammar lessons?
Reply to this comment
by papabc July 7, 2008 3:03 PM PDT
This drug will the the death of many. It is being rushed to the market before it should have been.

You may not see the results today but in 1 generation the results will tell. They may show up in your children''s children.
As in many drugs that are put out before they are ready so that the industry can reap the big $$$.
Reply to this comment
by sistatee-2009 July 7, 2008 3:08 PM PDT
How many other "helpful" drugs were Jenny''s "helpful" parents pumping into her?
Reply to this comment
by bjrober July 7, 2008 3:14 PM PDT
We have so many autistic children we care for and they are now thinking the vaccines they give these children might cause the autism.
Reply to this comment
by shippg-2009 July 7, 2008 3:18 PM PDT
I just read their blog. It is definitely worth it. Very sincere and tragic family.

http:// www. jenjensfamily. blogspot. com/
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 July 7, 2008 3:45 PM PDT
"Why not just dont have s3x with other humans and avoid ALL std''s and this cancer as well as pregnancy." Posted by newster1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You must be one of the religious lunatic fringe. Most NORMAL species on this planet enjoy s*e*xual contact with others. If you do not know what a Pap exam is, then ask. It has nothing to do with limiting your s*e*xual activities, and it does not inject any foreign substance into your body.
Reply to this comment
by denn034 July 7, 2008 3:45 PM PDT
Liberals tout this vaccine as a defense against the STD that is HPV that''s life threatening but, those side effects argue strongly against the use of such.
Reply to this comment
by drinuk July 7, 2008 3:49 PM PDT
MyOpinion1. Get Off this page, You are part of this evil regime, you are a Big Pharma plant !

This vaccine is very suspect and those who pushed it including the FDA should be strung up.

Parents, like MMR, keep your children away from this poison, it is not about your child''s health, it''s about big bucks and Big Pharma corruption.
Reply to this comment
by susanhelit July 7, 2008 3:49 PM PDT
Hundreds of thousands have tried this vaccine, with no problems - it had to go through a decade of testing to hit the market. One person getting a problem that also happens randomly doesn''t mean anything other than a bit of bad luck.

As to autism - I can''t believe anyone is so gullible as to buy that one - and sad thing is many children have died due to being unvaccinated by parents scared by hype and fear. Every single study checking for any link between autism and vaccines has clearly shown that the same percentage of unvaccinated kids become autistic, at the same age, as vaccinated kids. There is simply no link. Just an unfortunate coincidence that childhood vaccines happen at the same time as autism usually shows up.

Hundreds of thousands die every year from cervical cancer. It''s sad to think that many of them could have been saved, and that some of those now may not due to fear from one singular coincidence.
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 July 7, 2008 3:50 PM PDT
If it''s so safe, why don''t we give this vaccine to the teenage boys? Afterall, they are the carriers who give HPV to our daughters.
Reply to this comment
by drinuk July 7, 2008 3:53 PM PDT
barbaraf4, You missed it Dear, they are already suggesting that course of action as a way of doubling their profit.
Reply to this comment
by drinuk July 7, 2008 3:55 PM PDT
PLEASE TAKE NOTE FOLKS -- SUSAN HELIT is part of BIG PHARMA, she is lobbying on their behalf. Please ignore her comments.
Reply to this comment
by barbaraf4 July 7, 2008 3:56 PM PDT
"barbaraf4, You missed it Dear, they are already suggesting that course of action as a way of doubling their profit." Posted by drinuk at 03
~~~~~~~~~
Yes, Dear, I did miss it; however if we give it to the boys then we won''t need to give it to the girls.
Reply to this comment
by drinuk July 7, 2008 4:00 PM PDT
These Big Pharma crooks should be shot. Go read....

www.know-the-cause.com Watch the video with the Italian Oncologist.

Reply to this comment
by drinuk July 7, 2008 4:02 PM PDT
If you believe that Barbara then Walt Disney is still alive.
Reply to this comment
by mecury69 July 7, 2008 4:07 PM PDT
Rational thought...

She developed this illness naturally. There are countless degenerative muscle diseases that strike at any times at any age.

Posters that decry this vaccine as dangerous are those that have similar opinions of vaccines in general.

Polio was killing thousands of people a year, a plague among the young. Should we have just let nature run its course and take out those that could not fight the virus? That is a tough call and would like to see it made by a reasonable individual.

To some, 5 years is not enough for testing. Millions of young woman are now protected from cancer...and this is a bad thing?

Reply to this comment
by nstgeorge July 7, 2008 4:09 PM PDT
My daughter also suffers from an unnamed neuromuscular disease resulting from the second Gardasil shot. She has Rhabdomyolis which is a muscle compression disease, currently with symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Rhumatoid Arthritis as well as other symptoms. I also have a friend whose 12 year old daughter suffered for almost a year and 1/2 with a muscle condition and still does. Both girls had Cat Scratch Fever and my daughter is allergic to metal. We were not aware until after that the vaccination contains aluminum. There lives will never be normal. My daughter was a gymnist and my friends daughter was an ice skater. Some days she can''t get out of bed and it''s been since last August.
Any one thinking of getting their child vaccinated, don''t.
Reply to this comment
by drinuk July 7, 2008 4:18 PM PDT
Contributors on here supporting this vaccine and Big Pharma are part of the corruption.
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