I do not think that a child should be vaccinated against cervical cancer. It is my educated opinion that the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits. However, it is definitely necessary to make a decision based on the facts and I accept that not everyone would make the same decision as I.

Certain strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) have been found to be associated with cervical cancer. However, the virus does not cause cancerous changes in cervical cells on its own. Cancer development occurs in a two hit model. There must be two alterations in the genetic makeup of the human cells, either genetic or environment, to result in cancer. The virus offers one possible environmental explanation to work in concert with genetic predisposition to the disease. Also, HPV is usually cleared by the immune system without incident. Cervical cancer has been shown to be caused by persistent HPV infection which only occurs in about 5% of women.

The side effects of the vaccine include the development of flu like symptoms meaning that the immune system mounts a defense and they are able to measure antibodies to the virus after vaccinating, proving that is does in fact protect against HPV. The developers claim that the vaccine prevents infection with certain types of HPV that are known to be involved in cervical cancer development. However, since the human body usually clears the virus without incidence anyway it is inefficient to vaccinate against it! The only women who would truly benefit from the vaccine are those who have a genetic predisposition to cervical cancer. Everyone else is just being made ill for no real benefit.

Side effects have also been reported to include fainting, seizures, paralysis, and death. Though it occurs in a small proportion of vaccinated girls, it occurs in more than would be affected by cervical cancer. Also, the average age of patients with cervical cancer is around 50 years old, with many patients being over the age of 65. The vaccine is expected to have a time span of being effective of only 5 years. Vaccination will not prevent the majority of late life cervical cancer cases.

If a woman were to get vaccinated against cervical cancer the argument is that it should be done before they are sexually active and potentially exposed to HPV. This indicates that it would probably occur in children and thus be the parents' decision. However, this is a prime point in life when the reproductive system is developing. There have been no long term tests on the effect of vaccination of reproductive health and function. It would be a disaster if the next generation of women were the guinea pigs for the next Vioxx-type recall.

Learn more about this author, Alicia M Prater PhD.
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