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Sign Up for Email Newsletters: October 2011 Newsletter
AB499: Vaccines for Children Without Parental Consent!
Big Pharma and the politicians seem to be at it again. As many of you may have noticed, Republican Presidential candidates Michelle Bachman and Rick Perry recently butted heads on a 2007 attempt by Perry, Texas Governor, to require all 6th grade girls to be vaccinated with Gardasil, the vaccine that prevents certain strains of the HPV virus which have been linked to cervical cancer.
Thankfully, Texas legislators upheld a parents right to choose which medical decisions make the most sense for their children. So, in spite of the millions of dollars Merck has spent trying to convince us that this vaccine prevents cancer, for now, Texas parents can at least consider their options…
California Politicians elected to try a different approach. Assemblywoman Toni Atkins introduced bill AB499, which would allow children as young as 12, access to Gardasil, and other vaccines to prevent diseases which are sexually transmitted, without parental knowledge or consent! Before I chime in about the safety and efficacy of this vaccine, allow me to rant and rave about my rights as a parent…
As a parent, it is my right and responsibility to make informed decisions regarding the health and welfare of MY child until they are old enough to make such decisions for themselves. I am responsible for their welfare, and bear the grief and responsibility when they are injured or die from any cause…period!
Schools require parental consent to administer an aspirin to your child on school grounds. Why? Because YOU know your child’s health history. You know if aspirin is safe for your child. ASPIRIN! A trained nurse is asking YOUR consent, because it is your right, and your responsibility to know what is best for your child.
So what about Gardasil?
HPV and Cervical Cancer
Human papilloma virus is very common, and comes in hundreds of different strains. The virus is primarily acquired through sexual activity. Of these hundreds of strains, there are approximately 15 strains that have been linked to cervical cancer. Gardasil is designed to create immunity to 2 of the 15 strains. Researchers suggest that the two strains make up for 70% of all cases of HPV related cancer. This has lead Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, to make the claim that the vaccine does indeed, prevent Cervical Cancer. Does it really, and at what cost or risk?
Some interesting facts…
-According to the CDC and another study, Gardasil does not protect against the most common HPV genotype linked to Cervical cancer.
-According to the National Cancer Institute, direct causation between HPV viral DNA and cervical carcinoma has not been demonstrated.
-According to two published reports – one by the CDC, HPV-52 not HPV-16 or HPV-18 was found to be the most prevalent “carcinogenic” genotype infecting young American women. (Gardasil protects against HPV-16 and 18)
-The efficacy of Gardasil in preventing cervical cancer has not been demonstrated and the marketing campaign has been misleading. The efficacy of Gardasil remains unsubstantiated since the vaccine hasn’t been adequately tested on the primary age group to which it is currently given.
“So how should a parent, physician, politician, or anyone else decide whether it is a good thing to give young girls a vaccine that partly prevents infection caused by a sexually transmitted disease (HPVinfection), an infection that in a few cases will cause cancer 20 to 40 years from now?” JAMA, 2009
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System - VAERS HPV 4 Gardasil ® – HPV 2 Cervarix ® June 2006 – December 2010 -- Numbers reflect 1 to 10% of vaccinated population reporting
Event If you compare this one vaccine to the safety of all other vaccines given, the results are staggering:
Life threatening incidents
Of the 74 different vaccines administered, 24% of the life threatening incidents reported, are related to the HPV Vaccine.
Of the vaccines administered to 12-17 year olds, (9) 83% of the life threatening incidents were related to the HPV vaccine.
Deaths related to Vaccines
In the 12-17 age group, 76% of all vaccine related deaths reported are attributed to HPV vaccines.
GARDASIL VACCINATION: EVALUATING THE RISKS VERSUS BENEFITS
Cervical cancer is a rare disease in developed countries which invalidates the recommendations for universal immunization with any HPV vaccine. The incidence of cervical cancer has dropped substantially since implementation of regular Pap screening procedures. Currently, in the US, the death rate from cervical cancer (2.4/100,000 women) is lower than the rate of reported serious adverse events, including death, from Gardasil (3.34/100,000 doses distributed).
-Lucija Tomljenovic, PhD, University of British Columbia
What about the Economics?...
Who pays?
If this bill passes, someone will have to pay for these vaccines. Since parents may not be informed the vaccine was given, needless to say, it won’t be the parent…at least not directly. These vaccines cost $108, a cost that would likely be paid for by John Q. Taxpayer.
Who pays if there is an adverse event or reaction to the vaccine? With no tracking that the vaccines were ever given, it’s certainly feasible that Physicians and the pharmaceutical manufacturers can never be held responsible for any adverse reactions. Further, it will be difficult at best, to track these adverse reactions.
Who gets Paid?
Needless to say, the Pharmaceutical Companies (Merck and GlaxoSmithKline) will profit heavily from the passage of this bill. Additionally, the NIH apparently shares the patent, and would therefore profit from this bill.
What will the future hold if this bill passes?
Currently there are vaccines being produced for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and other sexually transmitted diseases. If this bill passes, your child will be able to obtain these vaccines, when they come out, without your knowledge or consent. Are you ready for your child to receive an HIV vaccine?
Who is Dr. Diane Harper and what is she saying?
Dr. Diane Harper, lead researcher in the development of two human papilloma virus vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, said the controversial drugs will do little to reduce cervical cancer rates and, even though they’re being recommended for girls as young as nine, there have been no efficacy trials in children under the age of 15.
Due to the high rate of screening, cervical cancer is not the crisis in the U.S. it is being portrayed by vaccine advocates.
Dr. Harper, director of the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Research Group at the University of Missouri, made these remarks during an address at the 4th International Public Conference on Vaccination which took place in Reston, Virginia on Oct. 2-4. Although her talk was intended to promote the vaccine, participants said they came away convinced the vaccine should not be received. “I came away from the talk with the perception that the risk of adverse side effects is so much greater than the risk of cervical cancer, I couldn’t help but question why we need the vaccine at all,” said Joan Robinson, Assistant Editor at the Population Research Institute. Dr. Harper began her remarks by explaining that 70 percent of all HPV infections resolve themselves without treatment within a year. Within two years, the number climbs to 90 percent. Of the remaining 10 percent of HPV infections, only half will develop into cervical cancer, which leaves little need for the vaccine. She went on to surprise the audience by stating that the incidence of cervical cancer in the U.S. is already so low that “even if we get the vaccine and continue PAP screening, we will not lower the rate of cervical cancer in the US.” There will be no decrease in cervical cancer until at least 70 percent of the population is vaccinated, and even then, the decrease will be minimal. Apparently, conventional treatment and preventative measures are already cutting the cervical cancer rate by four percent a year. At this rate, in 60 years, there will be a 91.4 percent decline just with current treatment. Even if 70 percent of women get the shot and required boosters over the same time period, which is highly unlikely, Harper says Gardasil still could not claim to do as much as traditional care is already doing. What can you do?
Contact Governor Jerry Brown and ask him to VETO AB499. The most effective way is to call the Governor’s office. They’ve already added a simple voicemail button for a "yes" or "no" vote on the legislation. Deadline is October 9, so please act!
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