Hope for Tomorrow: an Analysis of the Hpv Vaccine
The HPV vaccine has created many heated debates, but the bottom line come down to whether or not the time for this vaccination is now. Mike Adams, author of “HPV Vaccine Texas Tyranny,” and Arthur Allen, author of “The HPV Debate Needs an Injection of Reality,” discuss the mandated HPV vaccine. Both acknowledge that the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine lack credibility and that the affordability of the vaccine is not favorable to disadvantaged families; however, they disagree that there is more than one effective way to prevent cervical cancer (445-447) (448-450).
Mike Adams and Arthur Allen both question the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. Adams is skeptical about the vaccine’s ability to act as an adequate preventative measure for cervical cancer. He explains that pharmaceutical companies and everyone involved with this vaccine have deceived the public into believing that it works and is not harmful (447). Similarly, Allen questions whether or not the vaccine has been thoroughly tested for a sufficient amount of time for pharmaceutical companies and doctors to administer the vaccine unquestionably. He states that “while promising [the vaccine] has no track record…there’s no guarantee that the HPV immunization won’t provoke a rare side effect” (450).
Adams and Allen also agree that when mandating a vaccine the affordability of it should be taken into consideration. Adams argues that if the pharmaceutical companies are so concerned with the health of young girls then the vaccine should undoubtedly be offered for free. He contends that “if Merck was really about “patients first,” they should convert to a 501(c)3 non-profit…and give all their drugs away for free as a gift for humankind” (446). Furthermore, Allen states that mandating a vaccine and not making it affordable to families of all income levels would be a wrong move. He reports that the vaccine should come at no cost those who do not have the financial means to buy it (450). However,
Mike Adams and Arthur Allen both question the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. Adams is skeptical about the vaccine’s ability to act as an adequate preventative measure for cervical cancer. He explains that pharmaceutical companies and everyone involved with this vaccine have deceived the public into believing that it works and is not harmful (447). Similarly, Allen questions whether or not the vaccine has been thoroughly tested for a sufficient amount of time for pharmaceutical companies and doctors to administer the vaccine unquestionably. He states that “while promising [the vaccine] has no track record…there’s no guarantee that the HPV immunization won’t provoke a rare side effect” (450).
Adams and Allen also agree that when mandating a vaccine the affordability of it should be taken into consideration. Adams argues that if the pharmaceutical companies are so concerned with the health of young girls then the vaccine should undoubtedly be offered for free. He contends that “if Merck was really about “patients first,” they should convert to a 501(c)3 non-profit…and give all their drugs away for free as a gift for humankind” (446). Furthermore, Allen states that mandating a vaccine and not making it affordable to families of all income levels would be a wrong move. He reports that the vaccine should come at no cost those who do not have the financial means to buy it (450). However,
Cited: Ackley, Katherine Anne, ed. Perspectives on Contemporary Issues: Readings Across the Disciplines. 6th ed. Boston: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2012. Print. Adams, Mike. “HPV Vaccine Texas Tyranny.” Ackley 445-447. Allen, Arthur. “The HPV Debate Needs an Injection of Reality.” Ackley 448-450.