Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Conservatives Wield FDA Data on HPV Vaccine

Cite health risks in opposing vaccination of teenage girls

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted May 24, 2007 3:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – A group of religious conservatives has marshalled unreleased FDA data as a weapon in the battle against Gardasil, the new cervical cancer vaccine. The data indicates health problems in women taking the vaccine, but drugmaker Merck and the FDA both insist that the negative effects are probably unrelated to the vaccine. Critics oppose legislation to require administering the vaccine in schools.

They feel vaccinating teenage girls for human papillomavirus, which causes most cervical cancers, conflicts with the message of teen abstinence. Health issues include pain, blood clots, and birth abnormalities. But doctors report all adverse effects to the FDA, whether or not they believe them to be connected to a particular drug.

US NEWS MED-HPV 2 PH (KRT Photos)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Guys: Half of You Might Have HPV

New study could be strong case for vaccinating boys

(NEWSER) - A whopping half of men may be infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), best known for causing cervical cancer, but also a cause of anal, penile, head, and neck cancers. Though the CDC currently recommends a vaccine for females, health officials have so far not recommended one for males. Researchers believe this new statistic strengthens the case for why boys should be vaccinated, Reuters reports. More»

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Linked to 32 Deaths

Teen-targeted Gardasil also tied to blood clots, fainting in gov't study

(NEWSER) - Gardasil, the cervical cancer vaccine marketed to teen girls, has been linked to 32 deaths and other serious side effects including fainting and blood clots, according to a government report released yesterday. Since 2006, several complications of the vaccine have been reported, ABC News reports, ranging from neurological disorders to less threatening side effects like fever or nausea. In a few rare cases, patients died soon after taking it. More»

Push to Use HPV Vaccine on Boys Stirs Debate

Is pricey STD prevention necessary?

(NEWSER) - Merck is pushing the FDA to approve its HPV vaccine for men, and that’s raising a whole new set of controversies, the Washington Post reports. When the human papillomavirus vaccine was originally marketed for girls, many questioned whether or not it would encourage young girls to have sex. With boys on the receiving end, the debate has centered on whether or not the pricey treatment—it costs around $500—is cost-effective, safe, or necessary. More»

HPV Shot Extra Painful, Say Patients

Docs report patients fainting after stinging injection

(NEWSER) - Recipients of the new HPV vaccine are reporting that it's more painful than regular vaccines because not only does the needle hurt, but the vaccine itself stings as it's injected. Doctors have reported teenage girls fainting when getting the shot of Gardasil, although that may be in part because teenagers are more prone to fainting after injections than other age groups. More»

Tobacco Used in Cancer Vaccine

Scientists who developed HPV vaccine work on a cheaper version—±±

(NEWSER) - The same researchers who developed Gardasil—the vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer—have genetically engineered tobacco plants to produce a cheaper version of the vaccine. The new drug, designed for distribution in India and other poor countries, would cost $3 for three doses, as opposed to $360 for Gardasil, reports USA Today. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Conservatives Wield FDA Data on HPV Vaccine

Cite health risks in opposing vaccination of teenage girls

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

cancer • FDA • health • women's health • cancer vaccine • Merck • HPV • cervical cancer • Gardasil • women • vaccination • vaccine • teen health

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Guys: Half of You Might Have HPV

New study could be strong case for vaccinating boys

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Linked to 32 Deaths

Teen-targeted Gardasil also tied to blood clots, fainting in gov't study

Push to Use HPV Vaccine on Boys Stirs Debate

Is pricey STD prevention necessary?

HPV Shot Extra Painful, Say Patients

Docs report patients fainting after stinging injection

Tobacco Used in Cancer Vaccine

Scientists who developed HPV vaccine work on a cheaper version—±±

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Conservatives Wield FDA Data on HPV Vaccine

Cite health risks in opposing vaccination of teenage girls

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

cancer • FDA • health • women's health • cancer vaccine • Merck • HPV • cervical cancer • Gardasil • women • vaccination • vaccine • teen health

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Guys: Half of You Might Have HPV

New study could be strong case for vaccinating boys

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Linked to 32 Deaths

Teen-targeted Gardasil also tied to blood clots, fainting in gov't study

Push to Use HPV Vaccine on Boys Stirs Debate

Is pricey STD prevention necessary?

HPV Shot Extra Painful, Say Patients

Docs report patients fainting after stinging injection

Tobacco Used in Cancer Vaccine

Scientists who developed HPV vaccine work on a cheaper version—±±

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?