Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11053

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Lippman A, Melnychuk R, Shimmin C, Boscoe M.
Human papillomavirus, vaccines and women's health: questions and cautions
CMAJ 2007 Aug 1; epub ahead of print
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/rapidpdf/cmaj.070944v1

Abstract:

The federal government’s recently announced $300 million investment toward a program for vaccinating
girls and women with the currently available human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil, framed by
some as a way to prevent cervical cancer in Canada, has generally been welcomed by a wide range of commentators. However, although HPV infection is necessary for the development of cervical cancer and the vaccine may prevent primary infection with HPV types 16 and 18 (currently thought to be the cause of about 70% of cervical cancer cases1), we propose that these facts be assessed within a broad context before immunization policies are implemented. A careful review of the literature, including that submitted by the manufacturer with its application for approval of Gardasil, reveals a sufficient number of unanswered questions to lead us to conclude that a universal immunization program aimed at girls and women in Canada is, at this time, premature and could possibly have unintended negative consequences for individuals and for society as a whole…