This may come as a surprise to some...But, I haven't been a big proponent of the Gardasil vaccine.

I think if Merck had been upfront and honest about what this vaccine was, they could have avoided much of the controversy that surrounds Gardasil. Instead, in the name of profits, Merck has misrepresented what is an HPV vaccine, as a cervical cancer vaccine. Then, they proceeded to scare parents with their "one less" commercials, while also attempting to buy government mandates for girls as young as nine.

It's my opinion, that parents should have the opportunity to understand the risks and benefits of the HPV vaccine, and the vaccine should be a choice, not a mandate.

The latest controversy is over the safety of the HPV vaccine.

Does the benefit of (maybe) not getting an almost always harmless virus, outweigh the risks associated with this vaccine?

Sarah Foster from Avalon Health Info...

A recent publication by a conservative watchdog group has rekindled media interest in a controversial anti-virus vaccine and sent Big Pharma and federal health agency officials into damage control mode.

In a 25-page special report released June 30, Judicial Watch -- a Washington DC-based nonprofit organization that promotes “transparency and accountability in government” – presents evidence based on government documents that in the two years since being licensed by the Food and Drug Administration, Merck & Co’s Gardasil, heavily promoted as a safe and effective vaccine against cervical cancer, has been connected with nearly 9,000 “adverse events,” including the deaths of 18 – perhaps 20 – girls and young women.

Amie Newman from RH Reality Check, doesn't agree with the negative press (particularly this CNN segment) that has been surrounding Gardasil...

In what seems to be more like tabloid style reportage than journalism one might expect on this issue from CNN, the report focuses on half-truths and incomplete information to create drama around what is clearly a political issue for many. The reporter never explains whether Taqueria Williams received the full three-injection regimen or just the first.

The report centers on Williams who, according to her own doctor, suffers from an autoimmune disease the cause of which "cannot be proven." It doesn't stop the reporter from presenting statistics meant to scare with little fact behind the fear.

But, who is trying to scare who? Merck is telling parents, that by not getting their child vaccinated, they risk their child dying from cervical cancer. That's pretty scary.

And yes, it is a political issue. Merck would like to have this vaccine mandated for all children. But, parents should have the choice to make an informed decision on whether or not they want their child to have this vaccine.

Personally, I think the reports of side affects are barely relevant, in comparison to all the other things that should be a concern to parents. Please watch this video, it sums up what I've been trying to say about this controversy from the very beginning...

From Bosses Blogg - Pushing Gardasil...

Gardasil is an immunization against a "disease" that often has no symptoms and usually resolves itself.

Marketers of the vaccine imply it helps prevent cervical cancer. This is scientifically false.

Furthermore, cervical cancer is already substantially on the decline. What is true is that if you introduce Gardasil into a person who already has HPV you dramatically increase their odds of developing pre-cancerous cell behavior.

So why are the marketers of this vaccine working with crooked politicians to make Gardasil injections mandatory for young girls? It's garbage science and bogus public health all in pursuit of the almighty dollar.

From Nicole at Bellies and Babies...

Their patient information pdf risks include:

• pain, swelling, itching, and redness at the injection site.
• fever.
• nausea.
• dizziness.
• vomiting.
• fainting.
• Fainting can occur after vaccination, most commonly among adolescents and young adults. Although fainting episodes are uncommon, patients should be observed for 15 minutes after they receive HPV vaccine.
• Allergic reactions that may include difficulty breathing, wheezing (bronchospasm), hives, and rash havebeen reported. Some of these reactions have been severe.
• Additional side effects reported include swollen glands (neck, armpit, or groin), Guillain-Barré syndrome (which can cause death by cardiac arrhythmia), headache, joint pain, aching muscles, unusual tiredness or weakness, and generally feeling unwell.

Merck (the manufacturer of Gardasil) attests, though, that their vaccine is not to blame for these illnesses, including 10 deaths that occurred shortly after the vaccine was administered.

Hmmm... even though one of the risks that we know about can lead to death?

Did you know Erin Brockovich has a blog? The Brockovich Report: News-What You Should Know. On August 6th she posted on Gardasil...

Gardasil, as you should know by now, is an HPV vaccine sold by MERCK, a vaccine with a flawed marketing campaign targeting young girls. The premise is that the vaccine will protect young girls from cervical cancer, as well as a couple of varieties of HPV. But the vaccine is NOT a cancer preventative, and it has not been thoroughly tested. Not only does Gardasil not protect everyone, it does not prevent all types of cervical cancer. According to current science, there are fifteen types of HPV associated with cervical cancer but Gardasil only counters HPV types 16 and 18. The vaccine requires three doses to start and scientists don't even know how frequently boosters will be needed. They don't know because they did not adequately research this before putting the vaccine out on the market using our young girls as guinea pigs.

Here is another informative video...

What do you think about the controversy surrounding Gardasil? Is Merck putting profits before the wellbeing of young girls? How do you feel about the government mandating this vaccine?

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election