A vaccine-induced nightmare

by Fran Eaton

Few things set a person back on his or her heels quicker than getting a call out of the blue from the former chairman of the Republican National Committee asking how he or Merck could convince you to support mandating a vaccine against a virus transmitted by sexual activity.

I suspect Governor Perry of Texas may have received such a call before issuing an executive order mandate for all 11 year olds.   A call like that, in addition to pressure from his Chief of Staff, whose family member lobbies for the HPV vaccine producer, was probably just enough to push him into the hot water he's boiling in right now.

And if he got such a call, he should know he's not the only one.  Several conservative activists throughout the nation heard from a particular Merck consultant over the last few months, asking how resistance to the HPV vaccine could be pared down.

I was one of them.

Last summer, former RNC Chairman Jack Oliver -- the highest fund raiser in RNC history -- called to ask me what it would take to get parents rights advocates like me to go neutral on the HPV vaccine.  He said that several people had referred him to me because I served on Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee as a parents' advocate, and he realized he needed me to sign off on the vaccine.

Oliver had done me a big favor in 2000, when he worked to get a letter for me from the newly-elected George W. Bush to several thousand home schooled students who had participated in an online study plan we put together for the Bush campaign.  Following the days of finally declaring victory, a mad scuffle took place to set up the new administration, and a letter to each of our Home Schoolers for Bush participants that had been promised appeared to have fallen through the cracks, and was on the verge of disappointing all those kids who had worked so hard for Bush's election. 

Jack Oliver saved the day.  As campaign chairman, he stepped in and got the letter in motion, sparing all those broken hearts.  He did us all a favor, but, I thought, he really owed us. . . we after all, helped his guy get elected.

All this swirled through my mind as I heard Jack's voice on the other end of the line last summer when he said he was calling on Merck's behalf.

"Jack, look, I'd like to help you, but I can't," I said.  "There's absolutely no way I can sign off on any mandatory vaccine -- and especially one associated with STDs. "

"Will you take a call from a Merck rep on this?" he asked. 

"Sure, but I'll tell them the same thing I just told you," I replied.  "I'm sorry, but I won't budge on this."

Next thing I knew, Oliver was leaving messages for other pro-family leaders at the state and national levels.   Some who weren't familiar with Merck's arm-twisting techniques I had witnessed when opposing the chicken pox vaccine mandate in Illinois shrugged off the request, saying they didn't really have a problem with it.

What most didn't understand is that this HPV vaccine mandate is part of a bigger problem -- a much bigger problem.  A similar thing happened when Illinois decided to mandate chicken pox and Hepatitis B vaccines.  Merck lobbied hard and proved to be very persuasive in the final decisions.

The American public cannot and should not be forced to help any drug company realize a good return on their R & D.  It is their job to sell their products, not to force it on trusting souls who have been persuaded by a cooperative media that a health crisis must be diverted.

If this pattern is not stopped with this vaccine, it won't ever happen.  The slope will have become too steep and slippery.  There will be no place to stop, and we will have no choice but to force medication on our children and ourselves at the whim of any and all drug companies. 

There's two industries in Illinois that only fools resist -- gambling and drug manufacturers.  This post was a tough one for me to write, but it had to be said. 

I hope this warning doesn't fall on deaf ears, and Illinois decides to follow Maryland's example by resisting the HPV pharmaceutical nightmare.

Comments

[Sam]

As you have probably read today, the State of Texas is in an uproar over this forced vaccination. I really think Gov. Perry will be recinding his executive power to make this a mandated vaccine.

[Jon Zahm]

Fran,

Thank you for standing up to the political pressure and doing what is right for children and families.

[Marie Savard MD]

As a physician and passionate champion for informed and involved patients I am very distressed by the controversy around the HPV vaccine. Before the Pap test, cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in women and remains the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide in women today. It seems that everyone is forgetting what is at stake. The lives of countless women are affected by the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer - it affects virtually all of us (yes, virtually all of us who have EVER been sexually active have been exposed to this potentially cancer-causing virus at some point. Why else have women been trained to get a yearly Pap test but to test for cell changes caused by this sexually transmitted virus??? Today we not only know the one and only cause of this deadly disease, the HPV virus, we can 1) reliably diagnose women who persistently carry the virus (not everyone's immune system kicks in to fight it off) with the HPV test which is BETTER than the Pap test in women ages 30 and over we can 2) prevent 70% of cases of cervical cancer with a vaccine - and prevent countless abnormal Pap tests, fear and lost work and needless further expensive testing and treatment as a result. Even with the Pap test, far too many women are treated for abnormal Pap tests (changes caused by HPV) leading to potential infertility, premature birth and many other problems for women - not to mention the cost. A diagnosis of cervical cancer is only the tip of this dangerous iceberg for women. Unfortunately the vaccine works best if given to our daughters before they are exposed to the virus so timing is important....and for any of you thinking your daughter will never be exposed - hmmm...does that mean she won't need a Pap test in the future either?? Hopefully NOT. The Pap test is simply testing for a sexually transmitted infection - it checks for precancerous cell changes from the HPV virus. So isn't it better to give your daughter the chance of never having to experience an abnormal Pap smear from precancer or cancer in the first place? It is time we all learn about the science behind this incredible life-saving breakthrough in women's health - and not just about the politics. Our daughters lives and good health depend on us.
Marie Savard, MD
Phila. Pa.

[Susan Ryan]

Unfortunately, Dr. Savard, having MD at the end of a name doesn't give a good accounting for the prescribed drugs/vaccines with questionable safety factors. People are skeptical now, for good reason, don't you think?

I can understand your passion and understand that you feel a mandated vaccine in required. But when drugs for various ailments/disorders are prescribed because many times, the patient saw an advertisement about a drug in between American Idol spots, there's something wrong with the medical picture. Give other parents some credit for common sense and a good bit of skepticism about a vaccine that is not thoroughly tested, but rushed to market. A very lucrative market that includes the American taxpayer.
Past lawsuits speak for themselves in their success rate,don't they? Even as the reason for the lawsuit caused families' terrible anguish. That's not counting the lawsuits that weren't allowed because of stealth legislation. Your daughter(s)' lives and good health depend on you, not "us". You do what you feel is best. I'll listen to my health care provider, do some research on my own and watch out for my treasures, my children. No one will do that better than their father and me, who are "informed and involved".

[47th Ward]

Best. Fran Eaton Post. Ever. Well written and well worth sharing. Kudos to you!

[Donna]

Dr. Savard: You stated "The Pap test is simply testing for a sexually transmitted infection - it checks for precancerous cell changes from the HPV virus."

I was diagnosed with pre-cancerous changes (CIN 3) over 15 years ago, tested for HPV and was found negative. HPV was not the cause of my changes. Had I not received yearly PAP tests, my doctor assured me that over time (maybe years) I would've developed cervical cancer. But it would not have been because of HPV. If I had received the HPV vaccination as a child, this would have still happened to me. Do not tell people that they cannot contract cervical cancer unless they have HPV, that is a lie.

[Donna]

Dr. Savard: You stated "Before the Pap test, cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in women and remains the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide in women today."

Well the National Vaccine Information Center would disagree with you: "In the U.S., cervical cancer is the 14th most common type of cancer in women but in South America, Africa and Asia, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women because of poor health care and no pap screening."

We are not talking about what other countries wish to do in regards to mandating this vaccine. We are talking about the US, in particlar Illinois. Cervical Cancer is not the most pressing cancer need in this country.

Also fromm the NVIC:
"Survival for women with pre-invasive cervical cancer lesions is nearly 100% with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment."

[Lee]

If there are other causes of cervical cancer, then it seems to me that mandating a HPV vaccine would have the disastrous effect of luring women into a false sense of security: "I've been vaccinated against HPV; what do I need a yearly PAP test for?" Is that really the message the medical community wants to send?

Let us parents make our own informed decisions. We don't need a government nanny.

[J Aron]

The plain fact is that this vaccine has only been tested for 4 years. Nothing is known about long term effects. No one can tell if it will cause birth defects or auto immune disorders or other health problems. It isn't known how long the immunity will last or if boosters will be needed.
There are too many unknowns at this point for it to be made mandatory and I think that at this point parents should be able to decide for themselves whether or not they want their child to receive this vaccine.
Are we being stubborn and wary ? You bet especially after the problems we have seen with Vioxx and Zyprexa and a host of other drugs which were rushed to the market or have had side effects and usage problems hidden on purpose from the consumer.
When the drug companies can be honest and the drugs are properly tested then they can have my trust back.. until then, mandatory vaccination is not an option in opinion.

[kc]

The ingredients consist of 4 proteins of the said Cancers and lots of Aluminum.

Aluminum has been the suspect of the alzheimer/dementia disease.

I will not inject that into my body of my childs body.

The State and / or big Pharma does NOT own me and mine! They can mandate all they want fact is there is NOT any laws making us take these drugs, that would make us a dictactorship, my hopes is we would overthrow the chains of a such a govt, ( if the americans can stop cowering long enough) if it came to that.

Thanks for using common sense and logic and seeing the bigger picture. Thanx for standing for the people.

[L.J.]

Parents should be able to decide what is best for their children, not the governor of the State of Texas. Mandatory vaccinations, especially one of this sort, erode parent rights and the autonomy of the family. That sounds unconstitutional to me - do we not have the right to life, LIBERTY..., and the pursuit of happiness? This execute order is extremely ARROGANT, in my opinion. It makes me angry with Gov. Perry. I refuse to allow a man who has never met my child decide what should or should not be injected into her body. This is going too far.

[KZ]

I work in my Texas pediatricians office and am now having to give the HPV vaccine. I will NOT be getting it for my daughter! What most parents don't know is you can REFUSE any vaccine for your child and simply ask for a doctor's note for the school. I am an avid believer in MOST immunizations and do not have a problem with them in general. The varicella (chicken pox) vaccine was used for several years in Europe before it was available here in the US. That vaccine has been wonderful at preventing chicken pox outbreaks, a COMMUNICABLE disease. However, the HPV is sexually transmitted and not transmitted through air or casual contact in crowded areas like chicken pox or polio or the like.
We SHOULD NOT be MANDATING this HPV vaccine - but even still, you DO have a CHOICE - refuse it if you want and ask your doctor to write a note...

[Suzanne Arnold]

I am a homeschool mother of two daughters and I am a practicing RN. My first reaction to the proposed mandated vaccine was ... "But my girls are not sexually active," and we plan on keeping it that way for many years. My 14 year old sees purity in her future and not to be relinguished until marriage. This may seem absurd to the modern world, but why should I even entertain the idea of vaccinating for a diease that would be impossible to get unless the values are breeched. I don't shelter my children from all the jargon that is bellowing in the news about this, but we focus on preventing the behavior first then discuss options as we approach other issues. If my child was in a public school with the pressures being inescapable, I may think differently. Nevertheless, homeschooling offers a more consistent check and balance of moral judgment, so we are comfortable with holding off on the vaccine until we see fit.

[Gale]

We are fighting this mandate here in Texas. Pray for us. There is great outrage!! We have much support at all levels.

Thank you for your posts and your courage to speak up and speak loudly. We are in this together and love our children. I have 4 daughters including an 11 year old.

[Light]

I wonder if the Dr. has prescribed Estrogen replacement therapy ? (cite article title Breast Cancer Rates Drop) I wonder now if she attended everyone of her patients that indeed did come down with Breast Cancer and are now dead? I wonder if the Dr. prescribes Estrogen replacement therapy today? I bet she doesn't since now they say the lack of Dr prescription for that drug is the cause for a drop in breast cancer deaths. Truth is Dr. Why don't YOU make sure drugs have been long term tested before you mislead your patients into their miracle cures that really lead to untimely deaths? Dr are you personally willing to commit in writing to your patients that their daughters are 100% safe from serious medical side effects and you'd be glad to be legally responsible for any issues that come up say about 10 yrs down the road? I bet your sincerity will drop off there . Yet you urge parents to blindly go along with this because you think it's best. Truth is Dr. Im sure you know no more about this HPV Vaccine and long term effects than you did about the Estrogen therapy you prescribed. Where is the accountability with Dr.s who push these drug companies prescriptions?? Funny Drs., like politicians, seem to have some sort of financial motivation for pushing drug companies as answers to all health issues ... With Dr.s who believe everything they hear and read from the pharmaceutical companies that court them every week...I really wonder what side they too are on?

[Elizabeth]

I have just returned from the Legatus Conference in Naples, Florida. Many pro-Life leaders were all in agreement that the long term effects of this drug cannot possibly be known at this time and that the wrong message is being given to young women.Be very wary of this being forced on school girls by parents who are afraid of their children being promiscuous.

If parents really love their children, they had better start training their girs right now about the problems of promiscuity and the dangers that will evolve.

Get with it , parents! Question everything and discuss the ramifications with you friends and especially with your daughters.

[Faithful]

Um, Dr. Savard, how many girls develop cervical cancer before they turn 18? And just how many of them are SUPPOSED to be sexually active while they're still in high school?

If an adult woman is concerned that her "sexual activity" could result in contracting said virus, let her have the vaccine. She will be old enough to make an informed decision for herself--and to bear the consequences. However, to mandate it--to force it on her--before she is even of an age to think boys DON'T have cooties...

It is my considered opinion that to vaccinate for a disease which is solely spread by sexual behavior before the age of 18 is to condone statutory rape. It is still on the books as such in almost every state. But "take this vaccine for something you can't get but by sex" may as well be rendered "take this vaccine because we know you teenaged girls are just a bunch of rutting animals in heat who can't control yourselves, heh heh heh."

So much for protecting them. I'd rather we just (1) taught our girls to "just say no to childhood sex," and (2) enforced the laws on the books. Oddly enough, when these things were done, we didn't have this problem with teen pregnancy...

Julie K. Bartlett, J.D.

[Morally His]

I understand that this is a medical break through and that is great especially when it means saving lives. But why is everyone so against NOT becoming sexually active so as to NOT be in danger of getting a Sexually Transmitted Disease in the first place? It is very narrow minded to say that 'that is how the world is' or that 'that is how todays society works.' The world may change and people may change but good morals and high values do not go out of style. What about having high or good self esteem as women. Keeping good bodily health is just as important as good spiritual health. We should be teaching our young girls that their bodies are more than just for sex. To have self respect and value for who they are and what they think. Women years ago were given the opportunity to get educated, smarter and even were given the right to vote (as to say that what we think matters...right?) well it seems like women are making very foolish choices with all the 'wisdom' the system has offered us. And realistically what teenage girl can honestly say that she feels better after having sexual intercourse with a boy/s. Let's get back to what really matters...Self respect!!

[TIM]

The FDA has not been the U.S. citizens'
friend. Read "Evidence of Harm ", a very
informative book regarding the pernicious
cover-up by the FDA and drug companies to
keep us in the dark about vaccines altogether.

A little known fact that is not spoken
about is that 90% of the deaths related
to polio in the last century occured prior
to the issuance of the vaccine. In other words, the disease had already run its course
and was waining when the vaccine was introduced.

Greed is the driving force behind the
"Fortune 500 bent" drug companies.

[Claudia]

Does anyone not realize this doctors ties to Merck Pharmaceutical? I worked as a legal drug pusher for over 15 years and saw first hand the corruption, lies and misleading information that continues to be given by the drug companies and doctors like Marie. Her appearance on Oprah today made me nauseated. Of course I googled her and found all sorts of ties to Merck. If you want to know the real truth behind vaccines look at you tube for the DVD (Vaccination the Hidden Truth.) I just received it in the mail and it is frightening. I am a health and wellness practitioner, author, public speaker trying to educate the public regarding corrupt MDs, politicians, drug companies and the FDA! Just follow the money and you will see the graft and corruption that is epidemic in our sick care system! Look up the National Vaccine Information Center website and find out the real story behind the HPV vaccine.

[Michael M]

Informative page you have, It surely beneficial to learn more on this subject. One should learn as much as possible to be able to put it into a good use. Here is another page that is all about hpv vaccine issue http://www.genetal-worts-information.com/Hpv-Vaccine.php

[old cigar box]

Not much on my mind right now. I haven't been up to anything. Today was a complete loss. That's how it is. Not much exciting going on these days.

[st petersburg florida phone book]

My life's been basically boring. Such is life. Nothing exciting going on worth mentioning.

[2000 boat duck stealth]

Help the homeless down the street and persuade them to look for work

[Miss Wise]

I think that parents of young girls should wake up and smell the coffee! How many parents actually know for a fact how many of their teen daughters have had sex or not?
Exactly you don't know! High School students are just as sexually active as adults, if not more! A lot of parents are in denial about whether there teenage child is sexually active or not. And yes children are
even more curious about their sexuality at eleven and twelve years old. Seeing as how the media advertising sex and bisexuality in
reality shows constantly. Wouldn't you rather your child be safe rather than sorry.
Explain to them the importance of abstinence and unprotected sex and it's dangers. I think that America is making a serious stand
about unprotected sex and trying to prevent young women from this harmful disease.
I will end this comment with this, Can you honestly say that your teenage daughter or son is not sexually active or are you still in denial.

[blind date gay sex]

I haven't been up to much lately. So it goes. What can I say? I've just been letting everything wash over me recently, not that it matters. I just don't have much to say these days.

[STOP THE VAX]

Vaccines are POISON. The only one[s] who benefit from vaccines are PHARMACEUTICALS. Lots of Vitamin D will protect you from the flu and many other diseases. DON'T be fooled by paid off media hype. STOP the sickening assault on humanity.