According to the FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, under the Freedom of Information Act, there were 1,637 reports of adverse reactions to the human papillomavirus vaccination (HPV), called Gardasil. The vaccine is designed to help protect women from developing a certain type of cervical cancer. The virus HPV, human papillomavirus, is spread through sexual contact and the vaccine blocks two types of HPV before they can begin. Researchers are recommending the vaccine be given to girls around 11 or 12 years of age, in three separate doses, so their immune systems can be activated and build up antibodies, prior to beginning sexual activity and being exposed to HPV.

Three of the reports of adverse reactions involved the deaths of young women and are believed to be related to the vaccine. One of those reports indicated that a female died three hours after getting the Gardasil vaccine from a blood clot. Two girls ages 12 and 19 reportedly died several days after receiving the vaccine from heart problems and/or blood clotting.

As many as 371, of the 1,637 adverse vaccination reactions, reported to the FDA via the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, (VAERS) were considered serious as of May 11, 2007. Fetal abnormalities or spontaneous abortions affected 18 pregnant women who received the vaccine, nearly 50% of the 42 pregnant women known to be vaccinated.

The other reports of serious side effects included paralysis, Bells Palsy, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and seizures. Many of the patients who experienced these serious side effects were hospitalized for several days, and then released with their recoveries expected to take several months.

The side effects that the manufacturer, Merck & Co., warn the public to expect after receiving the vaccine are potential pain, fever, nausea, dizziness, and itching around the vaccination site. Most of the complaints reported to the FDA, which were not considered serious, included these types of complaints. However, there were also complaints considered not to be serious in nature, such as swelling and other allergic type reactions. The Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton apparently stated, “It looks as if an unproven vaccine with dangerous side effects is being pushed as a miracle drug.”

Judicial Watch filed its request on May 9, 2007, and received the adverse event reports from the FDA on May 15, 2007. Judicial Watch has posted the adverse event reports below.

Garadsil Related Deaths Reported to VAERS as of May 11, 2007
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) Reports as of May 11, 2007
Immunization for Cervical Cancer