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Gardasil is a vaccine for types 6, 11, 16 and 18 of the human papillomavirus (HPV). It can cause immunity to those strains of the virus in people who choose to get the vaccine. Since strains 16 and 18 are two of the high-risk strains that can lead to cervical, vulvar or vaginal cancer, this vaccine can help reduce a woman's risk of that type of cancer.
Gardasil protects against four strains of the HPV virus, but according to "Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principle and Practice of Infectious Disease," there are more than 100 strains that have been discovered as of 2009, 15 of which can lead to cervical cancer and 16 of which are considered high-risk for cervical or vaginal cancer. According to journalist Susan Brinkmann, as of October 2009 there have been more than 15,000 reports of adverse reactions from Gardasil including "Guillian-Barre, lupus, seizures, paralysis, blood clots, brain inflammation and many others."
Gardasil is effective for four strains of the virus in those who have never been exposed to the virus. However, because there are more than 100 strains of HPV and more than 15,000 girls reporting side effects, the efficacy is not high. Brinkmann also mentions in her article that the vaccine was never even tested on young women even though it is recommended for girls ages 9 and up. Considering these facts and the need for more testing and research, as of April 2010 Gardasil is not effective for most people.
"Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principle and Practice of Infectious Disease"; Mandell; 2009
"The Bulletin"; Gardasil Researcher Drops a Bombshell; Susan Brinkmann; October 2009
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