A lot of publicity has been given to the dangers of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine recently. Many of them unfounded, misleading and dangerous and could possibly prevent our ongoing efforts in our fight against cervical cancer. This article is an effort to counter this and inform all concerned regarding the true side effects associated with this vaccine.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine is derived from the protein material from human papilloma viruses without any of the genetic material associated with the virus. The CDC and FDA monitor the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (or VAERS). This system is a reporting mechanism for ANY adverse event after vaccination and allows detection of any safety concerns. There are known limitations in this system, such as the variable quality of data, variable reporting (both under reporting and stimulated reporting). This also fails to assess the link between cause and effect. Despite these limitations, this system is the best available and can be accessed by all concerned.
Out of more than 28 million doses of this vaccine given as of January of 2010, 16000 episodes of adverse events were reported to VAERS. Over 90 percent of them were not serious events and included irritation at the site of the injection, nausea, headaches and fainting episode, especially in the adolescent age group. It is recommended that the patients be vaccinated while they are sitting and observed for about 15 minutes for fainting spells before being released.
Regarding serious events that were reported, the most common was an entity called Venous Thrombotic Events (VTE). "Blood Clot in veins" in simple language! Investigations of these events showed co-morbid conditions such as obesity, oral contraceptives, smoking and other contributing factors that could explain these thrombotic events. Therefore, the association between vaccination and VTE appeared to be co-incidental rather than cause and effect. There was not a single event of mental retardation that has been linked in any form or fashion to this vaccine.
Death reports around the time of HPV vaccination were fully investigated and were discovered to be related to such conditions as Diabetes, Cardiac disease and viral illness. There was no unusual patterns suggesting that HPV vaccination caused any of these deaths.
In the final analysis, the benefit of HPV vaccination in the prevention of cervical cancer far outweighs the risks involved. It is my strong recommendation that any adverse event from any vaccination be reported to http://vaers.hhs.gov/index. Only through the concerted efforts of all involved will we be able to uncover hitherto unknown effects that may change our current recommendations regarding the safety of this vaccine.
Dr. Kumar is a board certified Radiation Oncologist who is co-founder of a private practice group in Florida. He has over 17 years experience dealing with cancer patients including several members in his own family who have been afflicted by this disease.
His philosophy of managing patients is through a unique holistic approach that takes into account the wishes and needs of patients and their families. He believes that any battle is won at the level of the mind first before the body goes into action to win the war. His website http://curingcancerofthemind.com/ reflects this philosophy.
He is always available to help any patient with questions regarding cancer and radiation therapy and can be reached at 772 293 0377.
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