Examining the Claims About Gardasil: A Comprehensive Review

The article by Dr. Joseph Mercola titled 'How Merck Pushed Gardasil Vaccine to Pay for Vioxx Lawsuits — and Why the HPV Shot is So Dangerous' makes several claims about the HPV vaccine Gardasil. This review will examine these claims and provide a thorough analysis based on scientific evidence.

Claims Made in the Article

The article claims that Gardasil is extremely dangerous and has caused unprecedented injuries, including autoimmunity, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), infertility, and death. It also suggests that Merck pushed Gardasil to market to recover losses from Vioxx lawsuits and that the FDA and CDC ignored alarming data about the vaccine's safety.

Examining the Evidence

Safety of Gardasil

The safety of Gardasil has been extensively studied. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal 'Vaccine' found that Gardasil is generally safe and well-tolerated. The most common adverse events were local reactions at the injection site, such as pain and swelling. Serious adverse events were rare and not significantly different from those observed in the placebo groups.

Reference: Safety of human papillomavirus vaccines: an updated review  by Luisa Lina Villa, et al.

Efficacy of Gardasil

Gardasil has been shown to be highly effective in preventing HPV-related infections and cancers. A study published in the 'New England Journal of Medicine' found that Gardasil was 98% effective in preventing HPV-related cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers.

Reference: Quadrivalent Vaccine against Human Papillomavirus to Prevent High-Grade Cervical Lesions  by Laura A. Koutsky, et al.

Autoimmunity and POTS

The article claims that Gardasil causes autoimmunity and POTS. However, a review of the literature shows that the evidence for these claims is limited and inconclusive. A study published in the journal 'Vaccine' found no association between Gardasil and autoimmune disorders or POTS.

Reference: Safety of human papillomavirus vaccines: an updated review by Luisa Lina Villa, et al.

Infertility

The article suggests that Gardasil may cause infertility. However, a study published in the 'American Journal of Epidemiology' found no association between Gardasil and infertility. The study followed over 199,000 women and found no difference in fertility rates between those who received Gardasil and those who did not.

Reference: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Risk of Infertility  by Allison L. Naleway, et al.

Deaths

The article claims that Gardasil has caused deaths. However, a review of the literature shows that the number of deaths reported after Gardasil vaccination is very low and not significantly different from the background death rate in the general population. A study published in the journal 'Vaccine' found no evidence of an increased risk of death associated with Gardasil.

Conclusion

The claims made in the article about Gardasil are not supported by the scientific evidence. While Gardasil has been associated with some adverse effects, the overall benefits of the vaccine in preventing HPV-related cancers outweigh the risks. The FDA and CDC have thoroughly reviewed the safety and efficacy of Gardasil and have concluded that it is a safe and effective vaccine.

It is important to rely on peer-reviewed scientific studies and evidence-based medicine when evaluating the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Misinformation and unfounded claims can lead to vaccine hesitancy and put public health at risk.