Gardasil is a vaccine that was first introduced in 2006 to purportedly prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and, in very rare circumstances, lead to several types of cancer, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and anal cancer.
Gardasil is given in two doses. The vaccine provokes a potent immune response to specific types of HPV, which may help protect against future infections with those types of the HPV virus. However, this potent immune response can have unintended consequences, and reports of injury from Gardasil are reported much more frequently for some life-changing diseases.
FREQUENCY OF ADVERSE REACTIONS
Like all vaccines, Gardasil can cause side effects. The most common side effects are mild and include:
- Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle or joint pain
- Nausea
Serious side effects from the vaccine can occur. These can include:
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome/Orthostatic Intolerance/Autonomic Dysfunction
- Premature Ovarian Failure/Infertility
- Encephalitis/Encephalopathy
- Blood clots and other blood disorders
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) or other demyelinating disease
- Rheumatological Diseases (R.A., Lupus, Alopecia, etc.)
Gardasil is currently the focus of litigation in the Western District of North Carolina in Multi-District Litigation, or an “MDL”. There are currently hundreds of injured Plaintiffs in this case because of the Gardasil vaccination.
If you have any concerns about the vaccine or the potential risks and benefits, it is best to speak with your healthcare provider. As always, if you have questions about a possible vaccine injury due to Gardasil or another vaccination, Downing, Allison & Jorgenson National Vaccine Injury Lawyers are here to help.