Thursday, March 15, 2007

HPV Vaccine Researcher Speaks Out. SPREAD THE WORD, WARTS AND ALL.

This article ran in an Indiana daily newspaper. Not too many major outlets will pick it up, I'm sure. So do feel free to ah, "spread" the news. The more info you have the better medical decision you can make for yourself and your daughters. You need both sides of a story to decide though.

Diane Harper is at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, a top US medical institution.

Diane M. Harper, a lead researcher in the development of the humanpapilloma virus vaccine, says giving the drug to 11-year-old girls "is a great big public health experiment." (Photo contributed)

LEBANON, N.H. — A lead researcher who spent 20 years developing the vaccine for humanpapilloma virus says the HPV vaccine is not for younger girls, and that it is "silly" for states to be mandating it for them.
Not only that, she says it's not been tested for effectiveness in younger girls, and administering the vaccine to girls as young as 9 may not even protect them at all. And, in the worst-case scenario, instead of serving to reduce the numbers of cervical cancers within 25 years, such a vaccination crusade actually could cause the numbers to go up.

"Giving it to 11-year-olds is a great big public health experiment," said Diane M. Harper, who is a scientist, physician, professor and the director of the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Research Group at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire.
"It is silly to mandate vaccination of 11- to 12-year-old girls There also is not enough evidence gathered on side effects to know that safety is not an issue."

Internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field, Harper has been studying HPV and a possible vaccine for several of the more than 100 strains of HPV for 20 years - most of her adult life.

All of her trials have been with subjects ages 15 to 25. In her own practice, Harper believes the ideal way of administering the new vaccine is to offer it to women ages 18 and up. At the time of their first inoculation, they should be tested for the presence of HPV in their system.
If the test comes back negative, then schedule the follow-up series of the three-part shots. But if it comes back positive?

"Then we don't know squat, because medically we don't know how to respond to that," Harper said.

Harper is an independent researcher whose vaccine work is funded through Dartmouth in part by both Merck & Co. and GlaxoSmithKline, which means she is an employee of the university, not the drug companies. Merck's vaccine, Gardasil, protects against four strains of HPV, two of which cause genital warts, Nos. 6 and 11. The other two, HPV 16 and 18, are cancer-causing viruses.

Merck's vaccine was approved last year by the Food and Drug Administration, and recommended in June for females ages 9 to 26 by the Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Glaxo has stated publicly that its vaccine, Cervarix, which protects against the two cancer-causing strains, should be on the market by 2008.

As the director of an international clinical trial for these vaccines, and as author of lead articles about the vaccines'
effectiveness, Harper has been quoted widely as saying this vaccine could have enormous potential to eradicate the great majority of cervical cancers.
Not tested on young girls.

Picking up on this, but before the trials were even completed, major news media and women's advocacy groups began trumpeting the vaccine as an answer to cancer of the cervix.
Once it was approved by the FDA and ACIP, Women In Government (WIG), a non-profit organization comprised of female state and federal legislators, began championing Merck's vaccine in their home states, with many of the ladies introducing legislation that would mandate the vaccine for 11- and 12-year-olds.

In Indiana, Sen. Connie Lawson, R-Danville, introduced such a bill in this year's General Assembly, but in the face of strong opposition, it was reduced to an education/information-only bill that requires data collection on any Hoosier girls who do get the vaccine. The bill is now awaiting a hearing in the Indiana House.

So far at least 26 states are reported to be considering some form of legislation requiring the new vaccine for younger girls. In February, Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry bypassed his legislature and mandated it for all 11- and 12-year-old girls in his state.
Monday, The Associated Press reported that New Mexico's governor, Democratic presidential contender Bill Richardson, is set to sign a bill requiring sixth grade girls in his state to get the vaccine.

The idea is to inoculate them before they become sexually active, since HPV can be spread through sexual intercourse.

But that idea, no matter how good the intentions behind it, is not the right thinking, Harper said. The zealousness to inoculate all these younger girls may very well backfire at the very time they need protection most, she said.

"This vaccine should not be mandated for 11-year-old girls," she reiterated. "It's not been tested in little girls for efficacy. At 11, these girls don't get cervical cancer - they won't know for 25 years if they will get cervical cancer.

"Also, the public needs to know that with vaccinated women and women who still get Pap smears (which test for abnormal cells that can lead to cancer), some of them will still get cervical cancer."

The reason, she said, is because the vaccine does not protect against all HPV viruses that cause cancer - it's only effective against two that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers.
For months, Harper said, she's been trying to convince major television and print media to listen to her and tell the facts about the usefulness and effectiveness of this vaccine.

"But no one will print it," she said.

The rest of the story
According to Harper, the facts about the HPV vaccine are:
• It is not a cancer vaccine or cure. It is a prophylactic - preventative - vaccine for a virus that can cause cancer. "Merck has proven it has zero percent effectiveness for curing cancer," Harper said. "But it is a very, very good vaccine that prevents types of HPV responsible for half of the high-grade cervical lesions that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers. For the U.S. what that means is the vaccine will prevent about half of high-grade precursors of cancer but half will still occur, so hundreds of thousands of women who are vaccinated with Gardasil and get yearly Pap testing will still get a high-grade dysplasia (cell abnormality)."
• It is not 100 percent effective against all HPVs. It is 100 percent effective against two types that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers.
• The vaccine only works if the woman/girl does not have a current vaccine type related infection (in other words, the vaccine only works when the woman/girl does not have HPV 6, 11, 16 or 18 - the viruses that Gardasil targets when she receives her first vaccine shot).
• The vaccine doesn't care if the girl/woman has been sexually active, Harper said. "HPV is a skin-to-skin infection. Although the only way to get cervical dysplasia is through an HPV infection, and HPV is most often associated with sexual activity, HPV is not just spread through sex. We have multiple papers where that's documented.
We know that 3-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 10-year-olds, and women who have never had sex have been found to be positive for the cancer-causing HPV types."
• Therefore, for example, if a girl is positive for HPV 16 when she is inoculated with the vaccine at any age, she will not be protected against it later, Harper said. "That means it's a failure and those people are at risk for getting the HPV 16 and 18 cancers later."
• The only way to test for the presence of HPV is through a vaginal swab - which is inappropriate for young girls, she said.
• So what happens if the girls are vaccinated anyway, not knowing whether they were carrying the virus at the time of their inoculation?
"They will not be protected if they were positive for the virus at the time they are vaccinated," Harper said.
• That is why it is important to note that the vaccine has not been tested for efficacy (effectiveness) in younger girls, she said.
Instead, the effectiveness was "bridged" from the older girls to the younger ones - meaning that Merck assumed that because it proved effective in the older girls, it also would be effective in the younger ones. The actual tests on the younger girls, ages 9 to 15, were only for safety and immune response, Harper said, and then only as a shot by itself, or in combination with only one other vaccine, Hepatitis B. It has not been tested in conjunction with any other shots a girl receives at about age 11, Harper said.
• So far more than 40 cases of Guillian-Barre syndrome - a dangerous immune disorder that causes tingling, numbness and even paralysis of the muscles have been reported in girls who have received the HPV vaccine in combination with the meningitis vaccine. Scientists already know that sometimes a vaccine can trigger the syndrome in a subject. "With the HPV vaccine, it is a small number but higher than is expected, and we don't know if it's the combination of the two, or the meningitis alone," Harper said.
• In the end, inoculating young girls may backfire because it will give them a false sense of protection. And, for both young girls and women, because the vaccine's purpose has been so misinterpreted - and mis-marketed - Harper feels that too many girls and women who have had the vaccine will develop a false sense of security, believing they are immune to cancer when they are not, and failing to continue with their annual Pap exams, are crucial to diagnosing dysplasia before it can develop into cancer.
Keep getting pap smears
The message to consumers, Harper said, is don't stop getting Pap smears just because you've gotten the HPV vaccine.
"This vaccine is good, and it will save a huge number of lives around the world," Harper said. "But an important point is that, if women get the vaccine and then not get their Pap smears, or decide to get them infrequently, what will happen in the U.S. is that we will have an increase in cervical cancer, because the Pap screening does a very good job.
"That's my main diatribe. We don't need mandatory vaccinations for little girls. What we do need to ask, though, is how long does it last, and when do you need a booster?"
Message for governors
For the governors of the states in this country, Harper has another message. One has to do with the fact that vaccinating little girls now is not going to protect them later. Since it can take a decade or more to even manifest itself as dysplasia, the HPVs against which this vaccine works may infect a little girl at the age she needs the vaccine most - meaning she will have to have a booster at the right point in time or she will not be protected. And, remember, it won't work at all if she was positive for the virus when she was inoculated in the first place.
Merck knows this, Harper said. "To mandate now is simply to Merck's benefit, and only to Merck's benefit," she said.
Merck was required to put together a database on the efficacy in children before Gardasil was approved, Harper said. But instead, the company put together four study sites that "are not necessarily representative, and may not even have enough numbers to determine what they need to know."
Since she doesn't personally have access to the money Merck and GlaxoSmithKline pay for her HPV vaccine research, Harper doesn't know exactly how much either has paid Dartmouth for her work.
The trials are expensive, between $4,000 and $5,000 for each patient, she said. With over 100 patients in her study, some big bucks could be in the balance, should Merck or Glaxo become upset with her for making these comments.
Why, then, would she risk speaking out like this - at a time when her words very well could influence legislation across the country, and prompt legislators to drop the mandates? Isn't she afraid of losing her funding?
"I want to be able to sleep with myself when I go to bed at night," Harper said. "My concern is still, let's get women's health better. It is still a good vaccine. But let's be honest. Don't over-promise."

14 comments:

Maddy said...

This is fascinating. Thanks so much for posting this. I heard [bits and bobs] of the NPR programme on this very subject, so I thought I was up to date - ever the optimist!
Cheers

Michelle O'Neil said...

Holy Crap.

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

Hi, McEwen! Hi, Michelle. Where the NY Times on this after they've run editorial after editorial on how wonderful HPV is? Why isn't this in the DALLAS MORNING NEWS and the HOUSTON CHRONICLE so Texas parents can make their own choice for their girls?

Anonymous said...

I think that any vaccine that can protect against cancer is a good idea. I don't see how this author can state that 'such a vaccination crusade could cause the numbers to go up.' and at the same time say that it protects against 2 viruses that cause 70% of the cervical cancers.
And yes, I will be vaccinating my daughter. Cervical cancer is a terrible disease - one of my friends got it when she was 20. If the cancer is from the virus, it can strike very young women.
How can vaccinating a 12 yr old be any different than vaccinating a baby?

Kim Rossi Stagliano said...

The vaccine covers some of the strains of HPV, genital warts, that are precursors to cancer. It is NOT a cancer vaccine. If you have cervical cancer, you HAVE one of these strains. If you have one of these strains you are not destined for cervical cancer 100%.

The author is one of the researchers of the vaccine itself. She is saying don't give it to young girls. What she might mean is that when you get a vaccination that is brand new, you don't know how long it is effective before needing a booster. Therefore, if you give your child the shot at 9 and she doesn't have sex until she is 17, she may not be protected still.

A condom will protect your daughter from genital warts (HPV) AIDS, Pregnancy, Chlamydia and other STD's far more effectly than a single vaccine.

We're just seeing, 10 years after the chicken pox vaccine came out, that kids who were vaccinated are getting chicken pox at an OLDER AGE when the disease is much more difficult to manage and treat. So the vaccine at toddlers is NOT in their best interest. Better to get chicken pox naturally as a kid and be done with it forever.

Thanks for sharing your opinion.
KS

Anonymous said...

"How can vaccinating a 12 yr old be any different than vaccinating a baby"?

LOL! Kim, can I assume that the anonymous who wrote this has ventured over from the writing aspect of your blog? Too funny.

Sarah Collins Honenberger said...

Kim, Thanks for adding your comments to mine about vaccine education and not willy nilly buying the drug companies' PR on mandatory vaccinations as the be all and end all of how to prevent diseases. Starting with the DPT vaccine which figures in my novel White Lies, the government makes a knee jerk endorsement without educating parents on other risks and possible side effects and on what the researchers don't know and haven't even investigated. If there were truth in labelling, we might get more information before we linked school attendance to a non-contagious disease. Parents in Texas have made a start. But our legislators ought to be asking the same questions BEFORE they vote yes, not after. The mother who inspired my novel wanted the story told so other parents would educate themselves before the vaccinations, not afterwards. Please don't accept everything a corporation says when the profit interest is so obvious. Sarah Collins Honenberger

The Mama said...

Hi there!

This is such a facinating article. Do you have the origional link for the story? I would like to put it up on my blog as well but I would like a hard link to the source.

Thanks!!

The Mama said...

Thanks so much for the link!!

Anonymous said...

Informative page you have, It surely beneficial to learn more on this subject. One should learn as much as possible to be able to put it into a good use. Here is another page about hpv warts http://www.genetal-worts-information.com/Hpv-Warts.php

James Ava said...

I can’t believe this. A great testimony that i must share to all patient of [HPV] in the world. i never believed that their could be any complete cure for HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS or any cure for HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS, Mrs JANE introduce me to DR.AKHIGBE a herbal doctor who lives in Africa who brought him back to life again. so i had to try it too and you can,t believe that in just few weeks i started using the herbal medicine he sent to me i was perfectly ok and . Right now i can tell you that few months now i have not had any symptoms of HPV and i have just went for text last week and the doctor confirmed that there is no trace of any HPV in my body system. Glory be to God for leading me to this genuine DR.AKHIGBE I am so happy as i am sharing this testimony. My advice to you all who thinks that their is no cure for HPV that is Not true ,just contact him and get cure from DR.AKHIGBE via his Email DRAKHIGBESPELLHOME@GMAIL.COM and you will be free and free forever, Try it and you will not regret it because it truly works. One thing i have come to realize is that you never know how true it is until you try...or you can whatsapp him +2348106618681, OR Email him DRAKHIGBESPELLHOME@GMAIL.COM OR if you need my assistant via mail:jamesava001@gmail.com...
THIS IS THE TYPE OF HERBAL MEDICATION HE HAVE
1 Cancer
2 Hiv
3 Low sperm count
4 Barrenness
5 Hvp
6 Herpes
7 Genital Wart
8 Rare disease
9 Hepatitis
10 Syphilis
11 Diabetes
God bless you sir for your good work that you did for me.....

Angelina Keffi said...

There are some natural remedies that can be used in the prevention and eliminate diabetes totally. However, the single most important aspect of a diabetes control plan is adopting a wholesome life style Inner Peace, Nutritious and Healthy Diet, and Regular Physical Exercise. A state of inner peace and self-contentment is essential to enjoying a good physical health and over all well-being. The inner peace and self contentment is a just a state of mind.People with diabetes diseases often use complementary and alternative medicine. I diagnosed diabetes in 2000. Was at work feeling unusually tired and sleepy. I borrowed a glucometer from a co-worker and tested at 760. Went immediately to my doctor and he gave me prescibtion like: Insulin ,Sulfonylureas,Thiazolidinediones but Icould not get the cure rather to reduce the pain abd brink back the pain again. I found a woman testimony name Comfort online how Dr Akhigbe cure her HIV  and I aslo contacted the doctor and after I took his medication as instructed, I am now completely free from diabtes by doctor Akhigbe herbal medicine.So diabetes patients reading this testimony to contact his email     drrealakhigbe@gmail.com   or his Number   +2348142454860   He also use his herbal herbs to diseases like:SPIDER BITE, SCHIZOPHRENIA, LUPUS,EXTERNAL INFECTION, COMMON COLD, JOINT PAIN, BODY PAIN, EPILEPSY,STROKE,TUBERCULOSIS ,STOMACH DISEASE. ECZEMA, PROGERIA, EATING DISORDER, LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTION,  DIABETICS,HERPES,HIV/AIDS, ;ALS,  CANCER , MENINGITIS,HEPATITIS A AND B, THYROID, ASTHMA, HEART DISEASE, CHRONIC DISEASE. NAUSEA VOMITING OR DIARRHEA,KIDNEY DISEASE, WEAK ERECTION. EYE TWITCHING PAINFUL OR IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION.Dr Akhigbe is a good man and he heal any body that come to him. here is email    drrealakhigbe@gmail.com    and his Number +2349010754824

Celina Gomez said...

I'm Celina Gomez from Canada, i have been cured from genital herpes with herbalist Sakura herbal Remedy.
i have been infected with genital herpes for 1 years now , i have done so many medical treatment from different hospital still
not cured. On a very good day , i decided to make a research on my computer on how to get rid of genital herpes,i found a post of Sarah Wilson on how she was  cured from herpes with herbalist Dr sakura  herbal remedy.
The Herbalist email/contact number  was there as well dr.sakuraspellalter@gmail.com/ +2348160802189. i contacted him because of my illness .He needed few of my information which i did, and also send me his medicine through FedEx courier service.
which i received  after 3 working  days of shipment,i drink the  herbal medicine the same way Herbalist Dr Sakura instructed me too.but now my genital herpes is gone totally without any side effect or harm, may God Almighty continuing to bless him abundantly .
you can contact him on mail/whats app dr.sakuraspellalter@gmail.com +2348110114739 or follow him on Instagram @Herbalist_sakura .you can also mail me for more information celinagomez784@gmail.com

Tamara Barrow said...

I was diagnosed of herpes 3 years, and ever since then i have been taking treatment to prevent outbreaks, burning and blisters, but there was no improvement until i came across testimonies of Dr. VOODOO on how he has been curing different people from different diseases all over the world, then i contacted him. After our conversation he sent me the medicine which i took according to his instructions for up to 2 weeks. After completing the medication i went back to my doctor for another test and the virus was all gone and i was completely cured, since then i have not had any signs of outbreak. I'm so filled with joy. With herbal medication Herpes Virus is 100% curable. I refer Dr VOODOO to everyone out there with the virus Email: voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com Add Dr voodoo on whatsApp +2348140120719