Local Doctors say Cancer Vaccine is Safe

Two local cancer specialists say they hope the public listens to medical experts and not GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann when deciding whether to have their daughters vaccinated against a virus that causes cervical cancer.

Dr. Martin A. Martino and Dr. Nicholas Taylor, both gynecologic oncologists, took issue with Bachmann’s characterization of the vaccine as “potentially dangerous” – which she made during a debate sponsored by the Tea Party Express and CNN recently. Bachmann was criticizing Texas Gov. Rick Perry for signing an executive order requiring girls ages 11 and 12 to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV). The order has a provision that allows families to opt out.

In later interviews, Bachmann said she had spoken to a woman who claimed her daughter became mentally disabled after being given the vaccine, which is marketed as Gardasil. 

Martino, who works with Lehigh Valley Health Network, and Taylor, who is with St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network, said the vaccine is safe and effective.

“Recently the [Centers for Disease Control] and the American Academy of Pediatricians have reaffirmed the safety of the HPV vaccine in preventing the development of cervical cancer,” Martino said in an e-mail.

Taylor, who called himself a huge proponent of the vaccine, said, “There’s no evidence that it causes mental retardation.”

Medical researchers have investigated cases of “adverse events” following vaccinations, but have not found any correlation between the vaccine and the incidents, according to FactCheck.org, which is a watchdog project run by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Merck & Co., which makes the vaccine, reportedly distributed more than 23 million doses in the United States between June 2006 and December 2008.

FactCheck.org quotes the Food and Drug Administration as saying, “Given the large number of doses distributed, it is expected that, by chance alone, serious adverse events and some deaths will be reported in this large population during the time period following vaccinations.” 

Taylor said there might be some stigma attached to the vaccine because it’s designed to prevent a sexually transmitted disease. But its effectiveness against HPV hinges on girls getting it before they become sexually active. He said the FDA has also approved the vaccine for boys before they become sexually active. Gardasil has been shown to prevent genital warts.

Taylor said he’s concerned that Bachmann’s “inflammatory rhetoric” might cause parents to forgo getting their children vaccinated. Added Martino: “I would recommend that parents listen to their doctors about what’s medically best for their children rather than a political candidate trying to gain percentage points in the next political poll.”