by Nicki Orser

Created on: January 10, 2008

Mandatory HPV Vaccinations for Children Injects itself into a Vein of Controversy

My first exposure to the new Gardasil vaccine came late one night while watching a rerun of Friends. The ad featured a diverse array of women in white T-shirts with the words "Tell Someone" spray painted across their chests. "Did you know that cervical cancer is caused by a virus? Tell someone!"

Having contacted the virus myself ten years earlier, my ears perked up. After a series of invasive procedures including pap smears, a punch biopsy of my cervix, a colposcopy, and eventually, cryosurgery, I was "cured." Still, I was encouraged by the news of the new vaccine, hoping other women would be spared my fate.

During each commercial break there were more angry women fighting the grass-roots campaign to spread the word and reveal what was obviously some sort of governmental cover-up. I thought I was watching a series of public service announcements until I saw the tiny Merck logo in the lower right hand corner of my television screen.

"Wait a minute!" I thought, "This isn't a public service announcement. This is a drug company ad, pulling on my heart strings like a cautionary Kleenex commercial!" I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed and betrayed.

The television ads seemed to have a similar influence on others. In a recent article posted on the website www.corpwatch.org, Terry Allen describes Merck's commercials as "a subtly frightening advertising campaign." She goes on to describe the ". . . quick images of vital young girls: a young drummer, a child with a skateboard, two playing basketball, and three skipping rope. . . [As the drummer] tosses her drumsticks and starts to play, the others spell out a chant: O-N-E-L-E-S-S. I want to be one less. One less.'" Featuring young girls desperate to beat the odds of getting cervical cancer, television sends a powerful message to viewers about the positive aspects of the vaccine.

Other media outlets such as radio seem to be more on the fence. For example, in a February 28, 2007 interview on Capital Public Radio's program "Insight", a variety of guests were quizzed about their feelings on the vaccine and the pending legislation, California Assembly Bill 16, to try to make the drug mandatory for California girls entering the 7th grade. Among the guests, California State Assemblymember, Ed Hernandez was in favor of the mandatory vaccine stating that not passing this legislation would be ". . . A death wish upon someone who doesn't have access [to regular health screenings and pap smears.]" It was later revealed during the interview that Hernandez had accepted funding from the drug's maker, Merck; however, the politician remained steadfast in his claim that he wanted nothing but the best for the women of this state and that "Yes, he received contributions from Merck but it had absolutely no influence" on his desire to promote the bill.

Because the vaccine has only been on the market for one year, there have not been enough research studies done to prove how long the vaccine will be effective. If the average seventh grade California student is vaccinated, will she still be protected by the time she goes to college, when her chances of having sexual contact will most likely be increased?

While all of the media experts agree that a vaccination that can prevent cancer is of great value to society, there is still discord regarding whether or not the drug should be made mandatory for young girls.

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