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| | The long-term consequences of the HPV vaccine are unknown as there have not been any long-term studies. Children in the 9-year-old age group have been monitored for 18 months, and there have been no studies of possible longer-term risks of the vaccine. Between July 2006 and January 2007, there were 82 reports of adverse events filed with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System ([[VAERS]]) following the receipt of the vaccine. | | The long-term consequences of the HPV vaccine are unknown as there have not been any long-term studies. Children in the 9-year-old age group have been monitored for 18 months, and there have been no studies of possible longer-term risks of the vaccine. Between July 2006 and January 2007, there were 82 reports of adverse events filed with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System ([[VAERS]]) following the receipt of the vaccine. |
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| − | A study published February 28, 2007 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) <ref>http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/297/8/813</ref> disclosed that about 26.8% of women are infected in their lifetime by the particular types of HPV (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) targeted by the vaccine. <!-- ''this assertion is dubious; the latest figures from CDC [http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/trends2006.htm here] say that chlamydia is the most common; Time may be applying different critera, which should be stated.'' ''Time'' magazine calls HPV "the most common sexually transmitted infection".<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1206813,00.html Defusing the War Over the "Promiscuity" Vaccine]</ref>--> | + | A study published February 28, 2007 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) <ref>JAMA 297(8):813-819, February 28, 2007</ref> disclosed that about 3% of women are infected in their lifetime by the particular types of HPV (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) targeted by the vaccine. <!-- ''this assertion is dubious; the latest figures from CDC [http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/trends2006.htm here] say that chlamydia is the most common; Time may be applying different critera, which should be stated.'' ''Time'' magazine calls HPV "the most common sexually transmitted infection".<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1206813,00.html Defusing the War Over the "Promiscuity" Vaccine]</ref>--> |
| | Merck manufactures the HPV vaccine ("Gardasil") and sells it for $360 ($120 per shot in a three-shot series). Its package insert explains the limitations of the vaccine and describes its testing for safety and efficacy.<ref>http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/g/gardasil/gardasil_pi.pdf</ref> | | Merck manufactures the HPV vaccine ("Gardasil") and sells it for $360 ($120 per shot in a three-shot series). Its package insert explains the limitations of the vaccine and describes its testing for safety and efficacy.<ref>http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/g/gardasil/gardasil_pi.pdf</ref> |
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| − | The cost for buying and administering the three-dose vaccine is about $500 per child. Accordingly, the cost of vaccinating 100 children will be about $50,000, but only 27 out of that 100 will ever be exposed to the HPV types targeted by the vaccine.{{fact}} The average age of diagnosis of cervical cancer is 48 years old. Accordingly, the cost is $15,000 to $50,000 per child to possibly protect her against a cancer over 30 years in the future. There is not yet a clear plan in place for funding this vaccine. Despite the high cost and low prevalance, many states have pending legislation that would require schoolgirls to receive the vaccine.<ref>http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/HPVvaccine.htm</ref> | + | The cost for buying and administering the three-dose vaccine is about $500 per child. Accordingly, the cost of vaccinating 100 children will be about $50,000, but only 3 out of that 100 will ever be exposed to the HPV types targeted by the vaccine.{{fact}} The average age of diagnosis of cervical cancer is 48 years old. Accordingly, the cost is $15,000 to $50,000 per child to possibly protect her against a cancer over 30 years in the future. There is not yet a clear plan in place for funding this vaccine. Despite the high cost and low prevalance, many states have pending legislation that would require schoolgirls to receive the vaccine.<ref>http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/HPVvaccine.htm</ref> |
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| | Alternative means of protection against cervical cancer include abstinence (most effective), and early detection via pap smear (effective if done regularly, but only ''detects'' infection or precancerous changes. It does not ''prevent'' infection, but can prevent progression from infection to cancer). <ref>http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm#cancer</ref>. Condoms are not a safeguard against infection<ref>http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/25/2645</ref> <ref> Report to Congress 2004: Prevention of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gerberding, J.L., M.D., M.P.H. (January 2004): pp. 3-4. </ref> | | Alternative means of protection against cervical cancer include abstinence (most effective), and early detection via pap smear (effective if done regularly, but only ''detects'' infection or precancerous changes. It does not ''prevent'' infection, but can prevent progression from infection to cancer). <ref>http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm#cancer</ref>. Condoms are not a safeguard against infection<ref>http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/25/2645</ref> <ref> Report to Congress 2004: Prevention of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gerberding, J.L., M.D., M.P.H. (January 2004): pp. 3-4. </ref> |