EDITORIAL: Required HPV vaccination is sick

-The Michigan Journal

09/24/2008- Since Gardasil, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine came on the market, its maker Merck & Co. has been pushing for a mandatory vaccination for all women in the United States. Their efforts were fruitful, at least among immigrant women. Recently, the U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Service passed the HPV vaccination requirement for girls and women ages 11 to 26 who want to apply for American citizenship. But keep in mind, this vaccination isn't required for American women.

Understandably, immigrants are also require vaccinations for hepatitis A, rotavirus, meningitis and chicken pox, but these are highly contagious diseases; HPV is not.

As Gardasil is the only HPV vaccination approved for use in the United States, we at The Michigan Journal can't help but wonder whether immigrants are being required to get the vaccination out of concern for public health, or because it's an easy way to fill the pockets of Merck & Co.

The required shot for vaccination costs $162 per dose (three are required), making it the most expensive vaccine on the market. Naturally, advocates of immigrant rights are concerned that the high cost is a burden on them, as many do not have health insurance upon their arrival to America. We happen to agree with this notion. Traditionally, immigrants coming into the country arrive with nothing. The whole idea that America was based on is to welcome the world's sick and poor in hopes to offer them a better life; our country is "The Land of Opportunity." We feel a nearly $500 vaccination upon arrival is a slap in the face to that founding ideal.

If the required immunization is sincerely in the interest of public health, one would think it would be a requirement for citizens as well as incoming immigrants. But the scary fact is that, as Gardasil is a fairly new drug, its safety is a topic of concern. Since 2006, there have been 21 reported deaths and nearly 10,000 adverse reactions to it, including miscarriages, severe outbreaks of genital warts and cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that often results in paralysis. Worst-case scenario, it seems as though Merck & Co. are using these people as guinea pigs for Gardasil. We hate to cry conspiracy…but we can't think of a positive way to end that sentence.

As awful an ailment as HPV is, it pales in comparison to some more severe, contagious diseases that do not require an immunization. But as long as Merck & Co. is making money, we'll all rest easy.

If you or a loved one have experienced serious side effects as a result of the Gardasil HPV vaccination such as blood clots, paralysis, seizures, or other Gardasil side effects, you may be entitled to compensation. Pregnant women who suffered a miscarriage or fetal abnormalities following the administration of Gardasil, should contact one of our Gardasil side effect lawyers in order to protect your rights. For more information about a potential Gardasil lawsuit, or Gardasil side effects, fill out our free case evaluation form or call the toll-free number listed below today.