Related question: Both my kids were given the shots (not 100% sure it was Gardasil but I think it was) years ago on the recommendation of the family physician and don’t seem to have suffered any ill effects whatsoever. Is it something that can manifest later or are the problems something that would show up as an immediate reaction?
Then there’s this:
Any problems normally manifest themselves promptly. The problem with Guardisil is that the risk benefit ratio of receiving the drug are not properly evaluated in the literature and the information that is given to the physicians that prescribe it to their patients. This does not mean it is a bad vaccine nor does it mean it is a good vaccine. The risk benefit ratio must be weighed in a decision to take or not take the drug. If a women is very sexually active with multiple partners the risk benefit ratio would be on the side of taking the vaccine. If she is not it would “probably be better” not to take the vaccine.
Merck had a devastating financial loss due to Vioxx which is a non steroidal pain medication used in treating osteoarthritis. It was very effective and a very good drug. The problem is it also put individuals at increased risk of cardiac problems and possible death as the result of using this drug. Merck hid the data in their studies during the approval process. As a result it did cause deaths in some individuals.
The sad part is, this drug is no longer available for anyone. If Merck had of not concealed the cardiac problem we could still use this very effective drug in those that do not have a high risk for cardiac involvement.
The absolute ultimate two sins in scientific research is to fabricate data or to ignore data that is contrary to a hypothesis. Merck did not fabricate data but they sure as hell did ignore data.
I wish Merck was still the company that I knew in 1985 when I graduated from pharmacy school. Sadly that company no longer exists.