[NVIC] The "Cheaters" Vaccine: HPV
National Vaccine Information Center Newsletter
e-NEWS
October 3, 2006, 2006
"Dr. Albert "Ben" Jenson, a researcher of tumor immunobiology at the
University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center and part of the
original team of scientists at Georgetown University that invented the HPV
vaccine and holds the patent on it: "I can't think of a reason not to (get
the vaccine). The adverse reactions are very small. It's the first
vaccination to prevent cancer. My three daughters -- ages 42, 40 and 38 --
are going to get it. I think every woman should have it. Maybe they don't
have it (HPV) now, but they could get it if their partner, no matter how
committed, has (pause) flaws and brings the virus into the relationship. I
think men should have it too -- to protect women." - Herald Leader,
Lexington, KY
Barbara Loe Fisher Commentary:
Merck's marketing strategy for HPV vaccine includes enlisting
patent-holding scientists and paid Merck consultants to hype it as a
lifestyle vaccine that should be pumped into the bodies of every pre-
adolescent girl in the country. Just in case she forgets to wait until she
gets married to have sex; or the guy she marries has had sex; or,
apparently, just in case the guy she marries has sex with someone else
while he is married to her. Can this marketing strategy get any more annoying?
And can these entrepreneuring vaccinologists twist themselves into a more
convoluted pretzel with their junk science morality?
The truth is that most boys and girls and men and women who have had sex
have been exposed to HPV and clear the virus naturally from their bodies
and go on to lead perfectly normal, healthy lives. For the very tiny
minority of women who, for unknown reasons, develop a persistent HPV
infection, it can be identified through pap smears. Cervical cancer from
HPV infection develops only after many years of unidentified, persistent
HPV infection. Regular check- ups with pap smears are a much more
cost-effective prevention than paying Merck and HPV vaccine patent holders
$360 for 3 doses of HPV vaccine to inject into every American teenager
(Merck and the CDC are making noises that they want all pre- adolescent
boys to get it too).
I can't wait to see the marketing strategy to sell the AIDS vaccine.
Is prevention worth a shot?
A cervical-cancer vaccine leaves parents with tough decisions
Kentucky.com
Posted on Tue, Oct. 03, 2006
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=7unj9ybab.0.es4j9ybab.oblmlwbab.8914&ts=S0203&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kentucky.com%2Fmld%2Fkentucky%2Fliving%2Fhealth%2F15645375.htm
By Amy Wilson
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
What's a mother to do?
Bombarded by commercials that urge her and everyone around her to "tell
someone," she pays attention to the news that a vaccine has been engineered
-- and approved -- that will protect women against the human
papillomavirus, which causes 75 percent of all cervical cancer.
Furthermore, studies have found the vaccine to be almost 100 percent
effective in preventing precancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina and
genital warts.
But should she vaccinate her daughters?
The virus, also known as HPV, can be fatal. It is the most prevalent
sexually transmitted disease in the world. The cancer it can cause is
second only to breast cancer in its ability to kill women. Kentucky women
have the second-highest rate of cervical cancer deaths nationwide.
In June, the Food and Drug Administration approved the manufacture of
Gardasil, Merck & Co.'s version of the vaccine. The vaccine itself was
developed by Albert Jenson and Shin-Je Ghim, researchers now at the
University of Louisville.
The decision whether to vaccinate is complicated by its price, $360, and
that insurance coverage is being worked out. (Some insurers are waiting for
the CDC to formally adopt recommendations from its Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices, expected in November.)
Then there is the debate about the wisdom of any vaccination. So, yes, all
parents are cautious. Parents of teenage daughters have a lot of deciding
to do.
We turned to the experts for advice. Here is what they had to say:
The Food and Drug Administration: The agency recommends the vaccine for all
girls and women ages 9 to 26.
Centers for Disease Control: Its immunization committee has recommended
that the CDC endorse routine vaccinations for girls 11 to 12 years old,
before sexual activity.
Dr. Albert "Ben" Jenson, a researcher of tumor immunobiology at the
University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center and part of the
original team of scientists at Georgetown University that invented the HPV
vaccine and holds the patent on it: "I can't think of a reason not to (get
the vaccine). The adverse reactions are very small. It's the first
vaccination to prevent cancer. My three daughters -- ages 42, 40 and 38 --
are going to get it. I think every woman should have it. Maybe they don't
have it (HPV) now, but they could get it if their partner, no matter how
committed, has (pause) flaws and brings the virus into the relationship. I
think men should have it too -- to protect women."
(The vaccine is being tested on men, he said, but most of the initial
trials were done on women because they can die of the diseases associated
with HPV.)
Dr. W. David Hager, a prominent Lexington gynecologist and conservative
Christian voice on women's health and sexuality, a Bush-appointed member of
the FDA's Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs and on Merck's
Ob/Gyn Advisory Board for Immunization: "I have worked to help other
organizations understand (Merck's Gardasil) and the need for it.
"(After) the FDA approved the product, the Advisory Committee for
Immunization Practices at the CDC made recommendations for use in 9- to
26-year-old women with the principal age of immunization being 11 to 12
years of age. We do not have sufficient data in men to warrant approval at
this time, although the studies to evaluate this are in process.
"Merck has been good about not encouraging sexual activity in their
marketing strategy. We continue to say that girls should remain abstinent
as the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections and non-marital
pregnancy. However, the latest data from the Youth Risk Behavior
Surveillance Survey indicate that almost 7 percent of kids have initiated
sexual intercourse by 13 years of age. Thus, it is important to immunize
before sexual activity begins. Even if a young lady remains abstinent until
marriage but marries a guy who has been sexually active, he could bring HPV
into the relationship. So I strongly recommend encouraging abstinence but
giving the vaccine at 11 to 12 years of age."
Dr. Susan Modesitt, associate professor of gynecologic oncology, University
of Virginia: "I personally would recommend the vaccine early (age 12 or so)
and am hopeful that it will be made mandatory."
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