The side effects of the vaccine are well known--injection site pain and swelling, and sometimes headaches, all self-limiting. Beyond that, all I see is the usual anti-vax fear-mongering, much of which consists of drastically overstating the significance of the stock vaccine side-effects list. These side effects are trivial when compared to the effects of dysplasia or cancer.
The fact is, contrary to anti-vax fear-monger claims, that vaccines undergo at least a decade of rigorous testing in thousands of subjects before the FDA will even consider approving them for market. And even after approval, the FDA requires companies to continue to collect safety and efficacy data (i.e. phase 4 trials). The FDA has no compunctions about pulling products over safety concerns even after they have been marketed (ever hear of Vioxx?).
The misogyny enters the picture because apparently, some people are obsessed with the fact that girls might one day lose their virginity--but they state no similar concern over boys--they don't even mention boys. Often, what remains unsaid is at least as important as what is said.
Except, and this is typically overlooked, HPV is entirely a byproduct of LIFESTYLE. HPV is not polio, chicken pox, mumps, measles, the flu, etc. that are easily communicable through everyday activities.
Should SOME young people be given Gardasil or Cervarix? Unfortunately, yes. Should ALL be given it? NO.
The fact is, contrary to anti-vax fear-monger claims, that vaccines undergo at least a decade of rigorous testing in thousands of subjects before the FDA will even consider approving them for market
Yet, the clinical testing of Gardasil began in 2002 and it was approved by the FDA in June, 2006, which is hardly a decade.
One thing that WAS NOT studied, because it COULD NOT be studied in four years was what the long-term effects would be on the reproductive system. NOBODY can say that a girl who is given this vaccine at the age of nine will be able to conceive when she gets married and tries to have children twenty years later.
The misogyny enters the picture because apparently, some people are obsessed with the fact that girls might one day lose their virginity
NOBODY is questioning that. What I and others do question is that this vaccine gives young girls the message that it is okay for them to lose their virginity whenever they want. This is the same message that Planned Parenthood and the rest of the left is pushing.
Another problem is the false sense of security that the HPV vaccine brings. Teenagers and young adults are often not very astute when it comes to discerning risk and this will just give them another false sense of security. Don't believe me? Consider this, young women are told every time they are prescribed the Pill that it doesn't protect against STDs, but they still get STDs. There is no reason to think this vaccine will be different; actually, the very fact that it's a vaccine could make it worse.
but they state no similar concern over boys--they don't even mention boys.
That's because the left doesn't really care about boys at all. Men are to be sperm donors when and if wanted, nothing more.