Could the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine have prevented this dramatic turn in Tamika’s life? Human papilloma virus is a sexually transmitted virus. In most women it causes minor infections that go away on their own. In certain women, however, the two strains 16 and 18 of the HPV lead to cervical cancer. “The HPV vaccine targets these two carcinogen strains as well as strains 6 and 11, which are known to cause genital warts and it can be used by females ages 9 to 26” (Bristol). Our Question regarding Tamika’s case, however, is a very hard one to answer as HPV is not the sole cause of cervical cancer. Even if Tamika had contracted the virus sometime in the past, it might have been that her body just cleaned it up as is the case for most women. Yet, there is a chance that the HPV vaccine might have saved Tamika all the physical and emotional pain that she had to go through.
Listening to Tamika’s story and other similar ones, getting the HPV vaccine quickly becomes a part of the things-to-do list of many young women and the parents of many preteen and teenage girls. However, a little bit of thinking and with the help of news media and scientific sources, most people come up with a series of questions that postpone their decision of getting the vaccination or cause them to doubt the decision all together. Is the vaccine safe? Will the vaccine provide a life-long protection against HPV? If not for how long and will it be safe to renew the vaccine? Are there any side affects? How common is cervical cancer? What percentage of women with cervical cancer has acquired it through HPV?
Because of the uncertainty regarding the protection length of HPV vaccine and possible renewal of it and because of the low prevalence of cervical cancer and even much lower prevalence of HPV induced cervical cancer, the vaccine should not be mandated but it should be recommended for pre-teen girls in Colorado. According to the acting director of the Immunization Safety Office at the centers for Disease Control (CDS) the HPV vaccine isn’t a live vaccine (Carreyrou 3). In other words, the vaccine should not produce any infections and is safe to use. However, the long-term protection of the vaccine remains under question as the duration of its female human trials was merely “three years” (the health station). This short trial time and the expedited FDA approval is a source of concern for many people.
Correct data and information on different aspects of cervical cancer is an absolute necessity in the decision of passing the HPV-vaccine-mandate bill into a law. Currently there is some controversy regarding the percentages for the prevalence of HPV among American females, as well as, for the prevalence of HPV induced cervical cancer announced by Merck, the pharmaceutical company that produces the vaccine. The Denver Post accuses Merck of significantly overstating the percentages in its own advantage. For instance, according to Denver Post, the HPV strains 16 and 18 cause 1.5% and 0.8% of all cervical cancer respectively instead of the “astronomically” higher Merck’s estimated rate of 70% (Fry-Revere). In addition, “cervical cancer is listed as a rare disease by the Office of Rare Diseases of the National Institutes of Health” with only about “13000 annual cases in the US” (Prevalence and Incident of Cervical Cancer). Pre-cancerous cervical cells can be detected through regular pelvic exams and if cervical cancer is caught early there is “90%”chance of successful treatment (Fry-Revere).
Being a Molecular biology major, I truly know and appreciate the scientific advance that has led to the production of the HPV vaccine. But I, also, personally believe that it takes many years of trial to assure that any pharmaceutical drug is completely safe to use. Being a 19 year-old female, I know that the mandate of the HPV vaccine for school girls will directly affect my children in the future, as well as, loved younger family members in the present. Children are the society’s future decision makers. Each child, in his/her own way, has great talents and potential to add to our society’s quality. Therefore, it’s our job to make sure that the vaccine mandate does not cause the children any harm. Parents should be presented with facts and correct information about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine. They, and not government officials, should be the decision-makers on whether their children should receive the vaccine.
So far in this research, the article databases of the Auroria library and the Pensrose library have been my major sources of information. Among the many available browsers, CQ Researcher helped me in finding my primary source and the topic for my research. The Lexis-Nexis and academic search premier browsers helped me in finding more information for both sides of the argument I’m analyzing. I’ve found a Wall Street Journal article that indicates the HPV vaccine should be safe even for pregnant women. I’ve also found a Denver Post article which questions the accuracy of the data presented by Merck. Other than that, I’ve done some general web search on information such as the prevalence of cervical cancer and the trial period for the HPV vaccine.
Besides the mentioned browsers, I’m planning on using more medical and science based browsers such as Medline in the coming days. Such investigation will allow me to analyze the science behind the vaccine, as well as, find more accurate information on some of the controversial data. I’m, also, planning on holding interviews with my Genetics professor Dr. Brennan, my Cell Biology professor Dr. Angleson, and my endocrinology professor Dr. Dores. Having been a part of the research community for quite a long time, their perspectives on the safety and the mandate of the HPV vaccine can significantly help me in building and strengthening my argument.
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Helpful Questions
1) Will the HPV vaccination create a sense of false security against cervical cancer? This question can be addressed by finding accurate data on the actual rate of HPV induced cervical cancer in the US. I can further investigate this issue by searching for actions taken by Merck, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FDA, physicians and news media to inform the vaccine recipients about these data.
2) Does the mandate of the HPV vaccine stem from political and monetary issues rather than concern for future victims of cervical cancer? This question can be addressed by looking at the politics in the two regions where the vaccine is already mandatory (Virginia and District of Columbia). Furthermore, I should investigate the reason behind the extremely high price of the vaccine.
3) Where is Colorado standing in terms of mandating the vaccine? I'll use CQ researcher, Lexis-Nexis and Academic Search Premier to find the information needed to find an accurate response for this question.
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Timeline
- During the next three weeks I’ll work on finding all my secondary sources as well as holding the mentioned interviews. I’ll have my annotated bibliography ready by July 11th.
- After that I’ll create a solid, detailed outline for my research paper by July 15th.
- My next task will be to create a rough draft of my research paper. I’m planning to have this part done by July 25th.
- The last week will be dedicated to editing my rough draft and I’ll turn in the final paper on August 3rd.
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Works Cited
Bristol, Nellie. “HPV Vaccine” CQ Research Plus Archive 17: 409-432. 11 May 2007. < http://0-library.cqpress.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/cqresearcher/cqresrre2007051109>
Carreyrou, John. “FDA Data on Gardasil May Fuel Controversy: Conservative Group Publicizes Statistics on Adverse Events Reported on Merck Vaccine.” Wall Street Journal 24 May 2007. 17 June 2007. < http://0-search.ebscohost.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=25141122&site=ehost-live >
Fry-Revere, Sigrid. “Question Remains on Gardasil.” Denver Post 22 March 2007, 18 June 2007. <http://0-web.lexis-nexis.com.skyline.cudenver.edu/universe/document?_m=04436d144f01c403162f48f105927868&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVzb-zSkVA&_md5=8a7f69865c34bd065d978b4c6473a177>
“Prevalence and Incidence of Cervical Cancer” Wrong Diagnosis 2007, 16 June 2007. <http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/cervical_cancer/prevalence.htm>
“The New Vaccine Against Human Papilloma Virus.” The Health Station 18 June 2007. <http://www.thehealthstation.co.uk/gardasil.htm>
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