Scales of Justice

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WHBQ FOX13 myfoxmemphis.com)  --  The maker of the drug Gardasil called it the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls and young women ages 9 to 26.

More than 16 million doses of the drug have been distributed worldwide; five million doses have been given in the United States.

While concerns from some parents are centered around safety and morality, doctors tried to reassure parents that the Gardasil vaccine was safe for their girls.

"This is a very safe and effective vaccine which has the potential to prevent up to 70 percent of cervical cancer," stated Dr. Keith English with LeBonheur Children's Research Hospital. "That is a huge potential benefit."

The FDA agrees that the vaccine is a safe effective vaccine for girls and young women; however there are now adverse side effects being reported.

As far as the reports from the government go, the nearly nine-thousand adverse incidents have been mild, according to the CDC.

But some cases have been severe enough to reach the courts, such as recipients who have experienced 6-months of continuous side effects.

According to the website for Merck Pharmaceuticals about Gardasil, the most commonly reported side effects include:

• Irritation at the injection site
• Fever
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Fainting

Merck also says Allergic reactions may include difficulty breathing, wheezing (bronchospasm), hives, and rash have been reported. Some of these reactions have been severe.

Mid-South attorney Mike McLaren, with the Black McLaren law firm, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of some women who fall into that category.

You can contact Mike McLaren, Vaccine Attorney at (901) 762-0535 or (901) 270-6525 or visit the website at www.blackmclaw.com

For more information on Gardasil, go to http://www.gardasil.com/hpv/