A recent lawsuit in Australia has called attention to the alarming side effects of Gardasil —a widely used vaccine intended to prevent the types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause most cervical cancers.
Supporters have hailed Gardasil as a must-have vaccine for young women, comparing its life-saving value to that of the polio vaccine. But stories like that of Naomi Snell raise shocking questions.
Naomi Snell, age 28, is taking a stand against the side effects of Gardasil after suffering convulsions…severe back and neck pain…and paralysis. Snell has filed a class action lawsuit against Merck, the company that manufactures Gardasil.
Sadly, Snell’s story is not an isolated exception. Statistics from last year show:
-
• 789 reports of serious adverse reactions
• 213 cases of permanent disability
• 25 cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome (a serious disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system)
• 16 deaths
That’s not all. Between September 1, 2010 and September 15, 2011, 26 deaths occurred after Gardasil injections. 
Even more upsetting, the vaccine may not offer the protection users believe it does. There are more than 100 types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs)—and Gardasil only protects against 4 of those types.
You may be wondering what you can do. Dr. Mercola, New York Times best-selling author and natural health advocate, has some helpful advice:
It seems “old-fashioned,” [but] the only truly effective actions you can take to protect the right to informed consent to vaccination and expand vaccine exemptions, is to get personally involved in educating your state legislators and the leaders in your community.
If you’re interested in learning more about the controversy surrounding Gardasil and other vaccines, visit the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC)’s website.
Above all, make sure to talk to your doctor. It’s essential that clinicians hear the voices of patients on this important issue.
