HPV Vaccine, as expected, results in unnecessary deaths

The story was covered in-detail back in February here. Today, almost 4,000 adverse reactions reported.

Full coverage: HPV vaccine mandated in Texas

Yesterday I came across this headline: "Texas mandates cervical cancer vaccine."

Here is the LA Times on the story:

HOUSTON — Texas on Friday became the first state to require school-age girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus that has been shown to cause cervical cancer.

Gov. Rick Perry signed an executive order mandating that most girls, starting in September 2008, receive the vaccination against the human papillomavirus before entering sixth grade.

More than a dozen states, including California, have been considering such a move. HPV, which also causes genital warts, is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the country. Several strains have been linked to cervical cancer, which kills about 3,700 Americans a year, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Numerous Catholic blogs have been covering this story. Catholic Matriarch starts us off:

"This vaccine does prevent a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cervical cancer. What I cannot justify is making the vaccine mandatory. Contrary to the hype, this vaccine does not prevent cancer. It prevents a sexually transmitted disease, human papilloma virus (HPV)."

(... and her post got noticed by someone at Merck, the manufacturer of this vaccine.)

The Crescat takes a look at the disturbing marketing campaign behind this vaccine (named Gardasil):

"Its a vacine against a STD (SEXUALLY transmitted diseases) being marketed as a vacine against cervical cancer. The "vacine" is also being marketed to GIRLS and women ages 9-26. AGES NINE-9... do nine year olds need a vacine against an STD?"

Here is the video for one of the ads:



More resources:

• KCC has an interesting rhetorical approach to the issue.
• Catholic Fire takes a look at the way People magazine is spinning it.
• TCYM brings out some of the hard facts about HPV and cervical cancer.

More quotes from the LA Times article:

"He [Governor Perry] promised that parents who did not want their children vaccinated "for reasons of conscience" would be allowed to seek exemptions. The mandate would affect about 365,000 girls a year."

"But the move drew criticism from conservative groups, which noted that the governor had accepted campaign contributions from the vaccine's manufacturer, Merck & Co."All Merck wanted was a mandate so the insurance companies would have to pay for this. Follow the money," said Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum, an organization that promotes socially conservative government policies."

Update: Happy Catholic has an excellent post on this topic. And she gives us this link as well: 10 Thins You Might Not Know About Gardasil.