HPV Recombinant Vaccine Statement

Posted on: 08/28/2009

HPV Recombinant Vaccine Statement

Complete Children’s Health   
August, 2009

Background:
Recent media reports regarding adverse reactions to the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil) have raised concerns regarding its safety.

The most common events reported were:
Fainting (common after needle injections in teens)

Local pain and redness at the injection site

Dizziness, nausea, headache

Hypersensitivity reactions (hives, rash, itching, joint aches)

Review of reports of rare instances of blood clots (2 per 1 million doses) revealed that 90% of those patients had other major health risk factors for clotting problems.  No causal relationship has been shown.

No deaths have been attributed to the vaccine

CCH Statement:
The HPV vaccine protects against the main types of Human Papillomavirus that cause 70% of cervical cancer.  The vaccine is 99-100% effective in preventing infection caused by the 4 virus strains included in the vaccine in women who have not been infected prior to vaccination.

Our physicians have reviewed the factual scientific information regarding the safety profile of the Gardasil vaccine and continue to recommend its use for the prevention of human papillomavirus infection that can lead to cervical cancer.

As always, we continue to monitor for any changes in recommendations regarding vaccine safety to provide our patients and families with the most up-to-date information available.

We welcome your questions during well care visits and are happy to discuss any other questions or concerns related to any vaccines or other therapies that we recommend.