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Review Article

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine policy and evidence-based medicine: Are they at odds?

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Pages 182-193 | Received 24 May 2011, Accepted 31 Oct 2011, Published online: 22 Dec 2011
 

Abstract

All drugs are associated with some risks of adverse reactions. Because vaccines represent a special category of drugs, generally given to healthy individuals, uncertain benefits mean that only a small level of risk for adverse reactions is acceptable. Furthermore, medical ethics demand that vaccination should be carried out with the participant's full and informed consent. This necessitates an objective disclosure of the known or foreseeable vaccination benefits and risks. The way in which HPV vaccines are often promoted to women indicates that such disclosure is not always given from the basis of the best available knowledge. For example, while the world's leading medical authorities state that HPV vaccines are an important cervical cancer prevention tool, clinical trials show no evidence that HPV vaccination can protect against cervical cancer. Similarly, contrary to claims that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, existing data show that this only applies to developing countries. In the Western world cervical cancer is a rare disease with mortality rates that are several times lower than the rate of reported serious adverse reactions (including deaths) from HPV vaccination. Future vaccination policies should adhere more rigorously to evidence-based medicine and ethical guidelines for informed consent.

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by the Dwoskin, Lotus and Katlyn Fox Family Foundations. L.T. and C.A.S. conducted a histological analysis of autopsy brain samples from a Gardasil-suspected death case. C.A.S. is a founder and shareholder of Neurodyn Corporation, Inc. The company investigates early-state neurological disease mechanisms and biomarkers. This work and any views expressed within it are solely those of the authors and not of any affiliated bodies or organizations.

A portion of this information was presented at the Vaccine Safety Conference, 3–8 January 2011 (www.vaccinesafetyconference.com).

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