I'm back, with a new installment about health and the news. Most everyone now has heard of Gardasil and the controversy it has caused in many states, particularly Texas. Those of you that know my opinions well may remember that I was very skeptical of this vaccine against HPV when it first was advertised. I still am skeptical. But I've been following stories about HPV, Gardasil, and cervical cancer for the past few months, and I thought a good blog summarizing new findings about the three would do some good.
Well, there has been some bad news about Gardasil. Earlier this year, FDA data on the vaccine was published, reporting 1,637 adverse reactions to the vaccine, 136 of them serious. The majority of the reactions were itchiness at the site of injection, and other common reactions to vaccines in general. Among the more serious reactions, 18 pregnant women had birth defects or miscarriages, though the total number of pregnant women taking the vaccine was not given at the link, and scientists do not know if Gardasil caused the problems. Three people have also died, though most likely by underlying medical conditions. Since 2-3 million women have received the vaccine, this seems pretty trivial. Though it seems there are more problems in Australia. So my skepticism may still prove good.
But, it seems that while Gardasil is effective at blocking the strains it claims it will, it may not help in the long run in preventing cervical cancer. By blocking the two worst strains, other strains may flourish and eventually cause more cervical cancers, so the overall effect would be little.
In other Gardasil news, a UK firm has developed a different vaccine for HPV, but was denied a priority review by the FDA, setting the company back in the US market. That's our government for you. So, Merck, the producer of Gardasil basically has a monopoly, and charges $360 for the regimen of three shots. (Glaxo has since earned approval in the EU).
Of course, the most effective means of treating cervical cancer is to get routine screens. New tests may make that easier, not to mention cheaper. A new pap smear test costs a mere $30, and is more conclusive than the traditional testing, meaning women are less likely to need to have a second or third test done. It is also computerized, so there is less room for human error. Another very simple and cheap test can help screening in poorer countries, simply by using a modified vinegar solution.
So, cervical cancer might be on its way to getting eliminated, and it might not. Only time will tell. But in the meantime, we have the tools we need to start to try to rid women of the worry of contracting HPV.
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