: [NVIC] The Cheaters Vaccine: HPV

October 10, 2006

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 Graham Brown Cancer Center and part of the

original team of scientists at town 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

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By Amy

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