HPV Vaccine's Side Effects Come to Light

KPIX-TV's HealthWatch reports that the CDC has collected more than 500 complaints about adverse reactions to Merck's HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine Gardasil, including soreness at the injection site, fainting or dizziness, and fever or nausea. In an interview with Kim Mulvihill, MD, Anna-Barbara Moscicki, MD, professor of pediatrics and director of UCSF's Teen Colposcopy Clinic, said the vaccine is effective but should be improved to protect against more than the current 70 percent of invasive cancers for which it is effective. The vaccine also is controversial; some argue that the HPV vaccine encourages teenaged girls to have sex, and researcher Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, associate professor of adolescent medicine at UCSF, recently reported that some teenaged girls report more negative consequences, such as "feeling guilty, feeling bad about themselves and being used," after having sex before they are emotionally ready. Related Links: HPV Vaccine's Side Effects Come to Light
HealthWatch, KPIX-TV (CBS), February 21, 2007 UCSF Explores Teens' Post-Sex Emotions
San Francisco Chronicle, February 15, 2007 UCSF Panel Discussion Airs Concerns, Hopes for New HPV Vaccines, Part 1 of 2 UCSF Today, September 20, 2006 UCSF Panel Discussion Airs Concerns, Hopes for New HPV Vaccines, Part 2 of 2
UCSF Today, September 21, 2006 Pediatrician Describes New Vaccines for Children
UCSF Today, September 5, 2006