Cervical Cancer Vaccine Safety

The Gardasil vaccine developed to protect women against cervical cancer shows no risks associated with use, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The vaccine is designed to fight infections of four different strains of human papillovirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted agent that can cause cervical cancer.

The federal government approved Gardasil for use in women two years ago. It is particularly recommended for girls age 11 or 12 years — to give them prior protection before they become sexually active.

The CDC study covered 370,000 doses administered to 190,000 girls and young women who received at least one dose of the recommended three shots. The data on these vaccine-recipients were compared with data from other females who had not received this particular vaccine.

The researchers tested the data for eight medical safety problems, including risk of blood clots, heart seizure, stroke, allergic reaction and neurological side effects. The data did not indicate any association between the vaccine and elevated risk for any of the problems.

The vaccine has its critics. Some groups pushing for sexual abstinence before marriage say the vaccine could promote promiscuity. Other say women can get a false sense of security about sexually transmitted diseases.

The results of this study are important as they can be used to counter negative information about the vaccine. Somehow a public perception has developed that the vaccine is not safe.

Some of the concerns about the vaccine have been due to reports of fainting spells and loss of consciousness (called syncope) in teenage girls after receiving the shot.

The CDC analysis noted an increase of syncope reports among teenage recipients of Gardasil, but the incidence is historically similar to other teen vaccines. These reports prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require the manufacturer about syncope to the package insert.

The CDC announced in October that 25 percent of girls aged 11 to 17 have already received the vaccine. In a related study, Merrill Lynch & Co reported in September that 15 percent of women ages 19 to 26 have had the shot.  The target is to cover 90 percent of girls and young women aged 9 to 26 after 9 years (the usual time to reach this level of coverage).

About 30 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer each day and nearly 4,000 die of cervical cancer each year. About 80 percent of women become infected with HPV at least once in their lifetime. It is hoped the vaccine can help reduce cervical cancer in the country.

Safety Tip:

* If you have just received the shot, remain seated in the doctor’s clinic to make sure you do not faint.