New Worries About Gardasil Safety

CBS Evening News Exclusive: Vaccine-Safety Group Study Shows Higher Instance Of Medical Side-Effects Than Another Vaccine

(CBS)  There are new concerns about Gardasil, the vaccine that prevents a virus that caused cervical cancer. It's approved for girls as young as nine. And five million have received it since it was approved two years ago. The FDA and its maker insist it's safe. But CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson has exclusive information on some very serious side effects.

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Gabby Swank was a straight-A student and cheerleader.

But that was before she became very ill following the standard dose of three Gardasil vaccinations, Attkisson reports.

You know the commercial. It showed teenage girls saying "I want to be one less" who gets the HPV virus, which is linked to cervical cancer.

"It was like a big hype among my friends, because we're like, 'we're gonna get it' because we felt almost pressured by the commercials," Gabby said.

Gabby got sicker after each shot, progressing to seizures, strokes and heart problems. It was her neurologist who suspected Gardasil was to blame.

"I think there are too many people having serious long-term side-effects," said neurologist Dr. Dwight Lindholm.

Last fall, the government and vaccine maker Merck concluded there's no link between Gardasil and serious adverse events like Gabby's. But a new analysis calls that finding into question.

The National Vaccine Information Center, a private vaccine-safety group, compared Gardasil adverse events to another vaccine, one also given to young people, but for meningitis. Gardasil had three times the number of Emergency Room visits - more than 5,000. Reports of side effects were up to 30 times higher with Gardasil.

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Read the analysis by the National Vaccine Information Center.

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"If I'd have known, we never would have gotten the shot," said Emily Tarsell, whose daughter, Chris, died three weeks after her third Gardasil shot. She was one of the 29 fatalities reported in two years. "And she'd be here to hug."

Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder of the NVIC, said: "Now we know from this report that there are more reactions and deaths associated with Gardasil than with another vaccine given in the same age group. It's irresponsible not to take action."

Merck, the FDA and CDC question the value of the new analysis, say they continue to review the data, Gardasil remains safe and effective, and its benefits outweigh the risks.

Those who believe the vaccine hurt them aren't convinced. Gabby isn't cheering anymore and is too sick to even attend school.

"I struggle with guilt a lot, because I made the choice to get the shot for her," said Gabby's mom, Shannon Swank.

Meantime, Merck has asked the FDA to approve it for boys, who can pass on the cancer causing virus to girls, meaning the number of people getting Gardasil may double

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What follows is a statement from Merck:

It's important to remember that the proven benefit of GARDASIL is that it helps prevent cervical cancer caused by the two virus types responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. Nothing is more important to Merck than the safety of our products and we carefully monitor the safety of GARDASIL on a routine basis. Experts at the FDA and CDC also continue to review data and, as recently as four months ago, said "GARDASIL continues to be safe and effective, and its benefits continue to outweigh its risks."
NVIC is not a medical organization and has a long history of raising concerns about vaccines that are in direct conflict with the opinion of leading medical experts. We encourage consumers to get reliable information about the safety of vaccines from www.cdc.gov.<

[bowdaz]

My daughter had her first shot on Oct 16, 2009, right after the shot she got dizzy, so we waited before leaving the Dr. office. When we got home she went to bed,she was extremely tired. As the night went on she complained of not feeling well, thought there was people in the room with her as she was falling asleep, she had leg pain, all over not feeling good. The next day she said she was fine. Since yesterday she is complaining about a headache. I am not finishing the series of shots. Has anyone just received the 1st shot and not finish it because of side effect? and how are you doing today. I am scared to death for her. She is in bed again today with headache and being tired.

[holli311]

DO NOT GIVE IT TO YOUR DAUGHTER!!!! I have a 12 year old and she recieved it and almost passed out and was very sick after as well. My daughter now has insomnia and has had severe abdominal pains at 3 and 4 in the morning making her feel like passing out! I am now in the process of taking her to get tests ran and looking to move forward to stop any more shots given to our little girls and torching the rest of their lives. There has been 39 cases so far from deaths from the 2nd and 3rd shot!! PLEASE DO NOT GIVE YOUR DAUGHTERS THE GARDASIL SHOT!!!!!!!!

[janetemma]

My 17 year old daughter started having sizures after her 2nd dose of Gardisil. We have been to specialist and no 1 can tell us why she is having these seizures. Who would we talk to to find out if it related, please let me know by emailing me at [e-mail]

[tammy9371]

My daughter now 14 got the Gardisil shot on her 13 birthday she has been very ill after getting that 3rd shot.She had danced for 12 years and was very active now she can not even go to school and has not danced in over 9 months. I've been bring her to Duke Childerns Hospital in NC , the Doctors just don't know what to do. They told me to go on the internet to try and get answers so this is what I'm doing so PLEASE if anyone can help let us know before my baby girl and the other childern effected get any worse and for all of you going thru this my heart is with you.

[tokilovethecrue]

then again, every vaccine has a risk. i think it all depends on the person. if someone with a weak imune system get the swine flu vaccine, they might get swine flu right? i'm scared of dying now, but its been 1 or 2 years. maybe the side effects get more serious the younger the girl is? i'm 19 so... i'm not sure. i don't eb=ven why i got it. i don't have sex at all. i guess i wanted to be safe for after marriage. i'm such an idiot!!! well all i can say is that for those who got the vaccine or gave their daughters the vaccine, GOOD LUCK AND TAKE GOOD CARE. we had no idea this was going to happen and we did it for good intentions. but sadly, look what is happening. take care everyone and let's hope for the best.

[tokilovethecrue]

i received all 3 doses of this vaccine 1 or 2 years ago and i had no minor OR serious side effects. i don't know what to think anymore with all these new complaints. i'm so scared and anxious that i think i need medication to calm my nerves... thanks a lot!

[dlf3]

A DOCTOR would rather have his daughter contract cancer than have a vaccine??? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd steer clear of that guy!

[bronxshaun1]

yesterday my 13 yr old daughter was given her second dose of the gardisil shot and soon after the shot was given she past out and went into a convulsive seizure, her doctor reported that it was a reaction to the gardisil vaccine and informed me that she would no longer give my daughter the shot. My eldest daughter received the full series of the vaccine and had no negative reactions so far.

[gr8mom24]

Although my first daughter received the Gardasil vaccine with no problems at all 2 years ago, I have learned ALOT more since then. When daughter #2 (she's only 9 now) is old enough for the vaccination the answer is NO. I will take her for routine pap smears instead, which never killed anybody.

[h0ck3ymom77]

Question for the people who've had a reaction: What were the symptoms? Is she allergic to anything in the actual shot? Has she ever had a reaction to any other vaccine? After what shot (and how long after) did symptoms appear?

Thanks.....

[jdawg5152]

Did anyone by chance actually read what the CDC's website said?

Or is it all a conspiracy?

"Based on the review of available information by FDA and CDC, Gardasil continues to be safe and effective, and its benefits continue to outweigh its risks," the agencies said in a statement posted on the FDA Web site.

The agencies said that although rates of fainting and blood clots among Gardasil recipients were higher than those for other vaccines, they weren't any higher than would be expected among females in the age group studied, with other known contributing factors to these adverse events. The vaccine is approved for use in females ages nine to 26, and is recommended for routine vaccination of 11- and 12-year-old girls.

For instance, in 90% of the confirmed blood-clot reports among Gardasil recipients, the patient had an underlying risk factor for clots, such as smoking, obesity, immobility, genetic clotting abnormalities or use of hormonal birth control.

The health authorities also said there was no pattern to the 32 deaths following Gardasil vaccination that would suggest Gardasil was the cause."


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125079089307046933.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[savanna11294]

i got the shot 2 years ago and i haven't had any side affects. my moms boss's daughter is 30 years old and she was just diagnost with servical cancer wich may take her life. i am very glad thet i go the shots and my cuzin who is 12 is going to be getting the shots in the next month or so and i think that all yung girls should get the shots be for they have sex.

savanna <3

[LisaMarieScar]

My daughter has had extremely bad reactions after having the Gardisal shots ... 1000's of hives covering her body, swollen lips, eyes, hands, etc. I have taken many pics and have kept a diary. She has also been hospitalize twice. She carries an EpiPen everwhere she goes. We need answers and HELP !!

[tamdpm]

Merck developed the Hepatitis B Vaccine that triggered Multiple Sclerosis in me in 1995. It's been a horrific struggle with MS. I'd have taken the Hepatitis B disease over MS any day! Merck needs to be sued. They are destroying our neurological systems one person at a time. They use INAPPROPRIATE statistics to lie about the safety of their very bad products. They used a Harvard MD to allege that MS in Hepatitis B Vaccine users is the same that it is in populations that do not use the Vaccine. He skirted the issue of the vaccine being a "trigger" to cause development of MS in some patients. Watch for Merck to use similar strategies to sell their GARBAGE to innocent victims and hurt more people. Merck really has it in for women don't they? MS is mostly a white woman's illness, and Guardisil is given primarily to women. I'm a pharmacist and a physician and I'm warning everyone to please watch out for anything put out by this company!!!

[icy1210]

Gardasil should really stop running TV commercials until their product is proven risk-free! Today I saw their commercial again on TV, it's very disturbing!!!

[dlf3]

There are risks with everything. Walk outside and you might be hit by a truck. Get the flu and you might die as well. Nothing is risk free. Should all drug companies stop running ads until their products are proven to be risk free?

[MOFMARS333]

This is barbaric. One would think we live in the dark ages & others think it's all just peachy with their heads stuck in the sand. Or worse & knowingly pimp this toxin in evil greed.

This debate's about to close for comments but there's lots of good info there.

That is if you can get past all the deception the dummy shill for big pharma plasters all over the forum.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-booth/why-my-daughter-is-gettin_b_239628.html#postComment

[nancyd07]

Don't be mislead because a drug company is holding up a "solution" to what your mother is unfortunataley suffering. Young girls are dying or loosing their lives without even getting the opportunity to grow up. The important part of your comment is that your mother lived. What this money should be spend on is educating people on safe sex, not having multiple parteners etc. We just can't have a shot for every possible illness. Our bodies can't handle them.

[concernedmom2]

My daughter (12) has not had the vaccine and I am holding off until I am convinced it is safer. My daughter's doctor and I had a very uncomfortable conversation whereas I told her I want to wait until there is more positive information and further research on Gardisil and the doctor got defensive that I was "questioning her judgement." She says she would never suggest something that wasn't safe. Well, the CBS story suggests otherwise. I'm going to print out the VAERs report and bring it with me to my daughter's next doc visit. It's a crime that parents and children are being "pressured" into this vaccine. I would rather keep my daughter's personal health matters between us than potentially giving up her health and possibly her life to the drug companies who are using our children as guinea pigs. Becoming informed and talking to my daughter is going to be my "vaccine" for her until the number of and type of risks are diminished. I realize no vaccine is 100% safe but the hype and pressure around Gardisil is ridiculous.....parents must decide for themselves....and follow their OWN instincts. Don't fall prey to drug companies.

[luccylouu]

I accidently found a website from an attorny:
"If you or someone you know suffered a serious Gardasil side effect, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form or call as at 1-800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) to speak with a qualified Gardasil side effect lawyer."

The website is http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/gardasil_side_effects

[Juliaal]

Our family moved here from England 3 years ago, for my husband's work. We are now applying for a Green Card. I have just been shocked to learn that our 13 year old daughter is required to have the gardisill vaccine in order for us to obtain a green card. I had wanted to wait a few more years to allow more time to pass for research. I can not believe that we are being forced into giving our child this vaccine. I do not feel at all comfortable having this choice taken away from me and that our entire future should hinge on my 13 year old having this controversial vaccination. I think this is a very personal decision for each family and certainly should not be part of the immigration proceedure.

[Persistence62]

As a divorce father of a 16 years old teenager daughter, the apple of my eye, I was totally opposed to this injection. Sadly, although I have in divorce settlement, "shared parental responsibilities", I have no saying on the matter. The mother does with my precious daughter as she pleases and with the Parmaceutical Companies, bombarding our children through T.V, Commercials and even the movies, it is very difficult for a divorce parent to have any influence on the kids. Now, after reading this article, I am petrified. She just had the first shot and needs two to go. Anything happens to my child, as a direct result of this medication, I will go after the pharmaceutical industry with a vengeance. As an individual with COPD, I have endured the many side effects of a variety of drugs prescribe by these companies best instrument...DOCTORS. Their "out of this world" GREED, has no bounderies and they couldn't care less how many innocent people they seriously hurt in the process. SHAME ON THEM.