To date, in only two years of use, there have been nearly 10,000 reports of side effects from Gardasil. Obviously, most side effects are not serious, but some are quite serious (paralysis and seizures) and some are life-threatening enough to require hospitalization. While there is no proof that Gardasil is responsible for the side effects, that is enough to warn many parents away from a drug that protects only those who are sexually active and protects only against two of the HPV viruses that can lead to cervical cancer.

Abstinence and fidelity, of course, are the best protection against sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, a regular Pap smear remains the most effective measure for most women in predicting and preventing cervical cancer –– especially since the average age of a cervical cancer patient is 47 years old.

This summer (July 2, 2008), U.S. News and World Report recounted the story of 13-year-old Jenny Tetlock, a California teenager who began experiencing muscle degeneration about a month after being vaccinated against the HPV virus. After about 15 months of deterioration, she is now nearly completely paralyzed. This earlier this fall, The Flint Journal of Flint, Michigan reported that after only one dose of the HPV vaccine, TaQuaria Williams, a 17-year-old, began experiencing a rash and swelling in her limbs. She now is required to take 6-7 pills a day for what has been diagnosed as a “connective tissue disorder” that is a form of lupus.

In addition, 21 deaths have occurred to girls who have just had the HPV vaccinations. Those deaths are considerably more serious than the warning that the shot might cause soreness in the recipient’s arm or that some girls might faint after the shot so it is recommended that they remain in the doctor’s office for 15 minutes after the vaccination.

Few mothers, armed with the facts, would take the risk that her daughter might be one of the girls who has a severe, even fatal, reaction to the HPV vaccine. That volleyball mother who complained about the time involved in taking her daughter for the HPV shots, would be better advised spending that time explaining the benefits and modeling the ideal –– psychological and emotional well-being as well as good health outcomes –– of abstinence before marriage and fidelity afterwards.