Sahail AshrafCervical Cancer Vaccine – How Safe is Safe?
June 7th 2007 04:59
Note: Sorry it’s a little old this article but I’ve had major issues trying to sort my *&^^$ computer out. It’s taken me (or rather my hubby) a couple of weeks to get me back online at Orble. Anyway, I still feel this is a relevant issue for all parents …
As a public, we place our trust in the medical profession. When a vaccine becomes available we rejoice at the news and quietly make the assumption that it is one hundred percent safe. Well, maybe parents need to question a little more. In a report featured in The Age, one of the first groups of schoolgirls was vaccinated against the new cervical cancer vaccine at Sacred Heart Girls' College in Oakleigh. According to the report 26 girls visited the sick bay immediately after having the vaccination, while five of the girls took ill, one of whom remains under observation.
Alarmingly, the co-creator of the vaccine conceded that the reaction was completely normal. The school’s principal claimed there is no need for concern, and confirmed that further vaccinations will still take place in June.
It astounds me that such a blasé attitude towards this exists. It’s wonderful news that the vaccine exists, and that is being rolled out across Victorian schools. But it’s terrifying to think that they’ll continue according to schedule despite girls having negative reactions to it. That this just be shrugged off is appalling. Isn’t it the responsibility of the school and the creators of the vaccine to ensure it’s completely safe? It would have been my assumption that any hint of the vaccine causing adverse reactions would result in those vaccinations ceasing immediately for further testing to be carried out.
Where’s the duty of care in all this? Yes, maybe it just happened that those particular girls were sensitive to vaccinations. But what if they weren’t? It’s a new vaccination, therefore it would be fitting that more rigorous checking be conducted. Instead, the reaction was very dismissive. “Professor Frazer said there was no reason to be concerned and it was common for young women to faint after receiving injections.” This coming from the co-creator of the vaccination is extremely disturbing. I recall having vaccinations as a child, in particular the Rubella vaccination. I formed part of a queue of Grade Six girls and we each went in for our vaccination with not one of us fainting. I completely refute that statement made by Frazer. What’s more, 26 girls being affected is not merely a case of queasiness, especially when five of these girls were hospitalised, two of which were kept in overnight.
It angers me not only that Frazer dismissed the significant reaction to the vaccination, but that the school principal also disregarded it. If I were a parent of one of these schoolgirls I would be furious that my daughter was exposed to something potentially harmful. But I would be even more irate if, knowing about the reactions, the school continued with the vaccinations. Isn’t it common sense to err on the side of caution? Apparently not!
As a public, we place our trust in the medical profession. When a vaccine becomes available we rejoice at the news and quietly make the assumption that it is one hundred percent safe. Well, maybe parents need to question a little more. In a report featured in The Age, one of the first groups of schoolgirls was vaccinated against the new cervical cancer vaccine at Sacred Heart Girls' College in Oakleigh. According to the report 26 girls visited the sick bay immediately after having the vaccination, while five of the girls took ill, one of whom remains under observation.
Alarmingly, the co-creator of the vaccine conceded that the reaction was completely normal. The school’s principal claimed there is no need for concern, and confirmed that further vaccinations will still take place in June.
It astounds me that such a blasé attitude towards this exists. It’s wonderful news that the vaccine exists, and that is being rolled out across Victorian schools. But it’s terrifying to think that they’ll continue according to schedule despite girls having negative reactions to it. That this just be shrugged off is appalling. Isn’t it the responsibility of the school and the creators of the vaccine to ensure it’s completely safe? It would have been my assumption that any hint of the vaccine causing adverse reactions would result in those vaccinations ceasing immediately for further testing to be carried out.
Where’s the duty of care in all this? Yes, maybe it just happened that those particular girls were sensitive to vaccinations. But what if they weren’t? It’s a new vaccination, therefore it would be fitting that more rigorous checking be conducted. Instead, the reaction was very dismissive. “Professor Frazer said there was no reason to be concerned and it was common for young women to faint after receiving injections.” This coming from the co-creator of the vaccination is extremely disturbing. I recall having vaccinations as a child, in particular the Rubella vaccination. I formed part of a queue of Grade Six girls and we each went in for our vaccination with not one of us fainting. I completely refute that statement made by Frazer. What’s more, 26 girls being affected is not merely a case of queasiness, especially when five of these girls were hospitalised, two of which were kept in overnight.
It angers me not only that Frazer dismissed the significant reaction to the vaccination, but that the school principal also disregarded it. If I were a parent of one of these schoolgirls I would be furious that my daughter was exposed to something potentially harmful. But I would be even more irate if, knowing about the reactions, the school continued with the vaccinations. Isn’t it common sense to err on the side of caution? Apparently not!
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Yeah I'm unsure about this too. Especially because there have been no long term studies done.
I had a pap smear when I was 19 and it was normal. I didn't go back for 4 years and by the time I did I had abnormal cells. Kind of scary at 23. Had them removed and haven't had any recurrence since and my gyno said that chances are I won't ever have abnormal cells again.
I think the stats are something like 1 in 10 women have abnormal pap smears.
Anyhow, I am very curious about the vaccine...not so much for myself but for my daughter. She is only 6 so I don't have to worry about it just yet...but because I had abnormal cells, it is something she and I need to take into consideration.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Candice
It's definitely a great vaccine and that would be great peace of mind, especially in cases like yours. I just worry about vaccines being given when it seems they're not perfected yet. Or when no one's willing to say, 'hey, something's not right with it, let's carry out some more testing.' It makes me wonder how much the money is motivating it all.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
I find that between work, uni, kids, health problems, computer & internet problems etc that it's just hard to get everything to slot in nicely.
Your post is still well timed anyway with more reports coming out about it.
Comment by Candice
Thanks for dropping by.
I know what you mean about fitting everything in. Finding time to muck around with the computer was about number 50 on my 'to do' list. And figuring out what was going on is another story all together - thank God for my hubby - I'm now calling him my IT support person.