Irresponsible Fearmongering on HPV Vaccine

Of all the major issues the United States of America is dealing with at the moment, it's rather strange to see that a vaccine has become a major issue in the Republican presidential race.

With Texas Governor Rick Perry suddenly a front-runner for the GOP nomination, his rivals have been looking for an opportunity to bring him down a few notches.

Congresswoman and presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann believes Perry is vulnerable on the issue of the HPV vaccine Gardasil, specifically the mandate from Governor Perry that the vaccine be offered in all public schools. As summarized here, Perry was assailed over the issue at a Republican debate earlier this week.

Not content to argue against Perry's mandate however, Bachmann went even further by asserting that the vaccine is dangerous:

 

The relevant Bachmann quote:

 

“There’s a woman who came up crying to me tonight after the debate. She said her daughter was given that vaccine. She told me her daughter suffered mental retardation as a result of that vaccine. There are very dangerous consequences.” 

 

I'm not sure what is worse: that Bachmann might have made up the story or that someone really did relay such a story and Bachmann accepted it without question (Bachmann is not backing down, either).

 

There is no evidence whatsoever that this anecdote has any validity and no evidence that this vaccine has caused any such reaction. In fact, some professors are now offering more than $10,000 for proof that this story is true. 

 

In reality, this vaccine has a remarkable safety record. As noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (PDF):

 

There is absolutely no scientific validity to (Bachmann's) statement. Since the vaccine has been introduced, more than 35 million doses have been administered, and it has an excellent safety record.

 

Hoover Institution fellow Dr. Henry I. Miller makes the point even more emphatically:

 

In the extensive clinical studies (on more than 20,000 girls and women) that were performed prior to the FDA’s licensing of the vaccine, the vaccine was 100 percent effective, a virtually unprecedented result. How safe is the vaccine? No serious side effects were detected; the most common side effect is soreness, redness and swelling in the arm at the site of the injection. In summary, Gardasil has one of the most favorable risk-benefit ratios of any pharmaceutical.

 

More here. The fact that we have a vaccine to potentially prevent many of those deaths should be seen as a remarkable medical achievement.
About 95% of cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV, or human papilloma virus. In Canada we see about 1400 new cases cervical cancer annually - more than 400 women die every year from this disease.
However, Michelle Bachmann is not alone in trying to discredit the vaccine. This has been an issue here in Canada and here in Alberta, and we've heard similar claims from from people like Calgary Bishop Fred Henry.
Like this, for example:

Bishop Henry said the Catholic bishops of Alberta are concerned not only about the harmful side-effects associated with the vaccine, but very particularly about the conflicting message the vaccination program sends to young girls about chastity and sexual promiscuity and about putting schools in a position of "grave moral compromise."

 

Or, this:

 

According to Bishop Henry, their studies had suggested the HPV vaccine was “not adequately tested” and could have “problematic dimensions” and “disastrous side-effects.” Adverse reactions, including some deaths, have been reportedly linked to the HPV vaccine. 

 

 

And it's not simply a matter of Bishop Henry having an opinion. As a direct result of his beliefs about the HPV vaccine, Catholic Schools in Calgary - and other jurisdictions - have refused to offer it. As a result, relatively few Catholic girls in the region have been vaccinated.

 

The notion that the vaccine encourages premarital sex is absurd.

 

For one, it's hard to believe that fear of cervical cancer is a major factor for teens considering sex. The Bishop's position, though, seems tantamount to believing that such a fear should remain as a deterrent (a position skewered in this video). The fact is, even if a young woman saves herself for marriage, her husband could be carrying the virus. So much for Bishop Henry's belief that "the vaccine is not a substitute for chastity".

 

Secondly, would all of this really be explained to a ten-year-old? Don't we just sit kids down, give them a needle, and send them on their way? I certainly don't think Catholic schools would be faulted if they took that approach.

 

What would be the point of explaining to a 10-year-old in the first place was cervical cancer is, what HPV is, and how HPV is spread? I doubt most 10-year-olds would comprehend most of that, let alone jump to the conclusion that sexual intercourse is now suddenly a great idea.

 

We can protect these women and save lives. Shame on those who would undercut that effort with irresponsible fearmongering and preposterous moral grandstanding.