Gardasil - HPV (Cervical Cancer) Vaccine controversy.

[Richard Mason]

We've been administering this vaccine since April, here in Australia, it protects against the 2 Human Papilloma Viruses thought responsible for 70% of cervical cancers. Cervical cancer is a horrifying disease, now fortunately much reduced since the Pap smear test was introduced - however, early detection still means medical intervention, which is usually, but not always, successful in completely curing the disease.

Some info from a UK non-Govt website here.

My grandmother had this cancer and was taken from us at the age of 49, the day Armstrong walked on the moon after 2 years of agony.

I've been following the discussions regarding the introduction of this immunisation to the UK but am dismayed to note that there is a big scare campaign in progress, in large part by the religious right, on the somewhat spurious grounds that the average 12 yr old girl is going to hit the streets after this vaccine in an orgy of promiscuity, knowing that her chances of contracting cervical cancer are perhaps 70% reduced. Yeah right. (I'm somewhat of right wing tendencies myself on many issues but this is just bullshit and it's straight out of the Mid West Bible Belt)

This gives the general idea.

Against my better judgement, I've responded to the "Have Your Say" on the UK Daily Telegraph website and a couple of peoiple, evidently involved in the "no campaign" have responded with some utter bullshit.

If you share my views on this matter, some support would be a good thing - this vaccine costs $400 a pop and it wouldn't take much for a govt to change it's mind if there's a "groundswell" of public opposition.

You can have a look and, if you wish, have your say here:

Girls of 12 to receive cancer virus vaccine - Telegraph

AFAIK, immunisation in the UK isn't compulsory, although these people seem to be implying it will be - what they are trying to do is to stop people, young girls, sisters, daughters, girlfriends etc receiving this vaccine (and saving perhaps 700 lives a year and billions of $ for treatment) by a campaign to discredit it. There is something of an Old Testament attitude going on here and I find it quite sinister.