Cervical cancer used to be a major cause of death for women, but since the introduction of the Pap smear, early detection and treatment has resulted in a 70-80% decrease in deaths from cervical cancer. Thus, the contribution to Gardasil in reducing cervical cancer is minimal, if not unnecessary.
Just learned in class this week that the risks of the HPV Vaccine do not outweigh its benefits. According to my professor, the risk of an adverse reaction to the vaccine (such as fainting, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and possibly death) do not outweigh its benefits. Woman are more likely to have an adverse event to the vaccine than they are to get cervical cancer.
Some of the other problems associated with the vaccine is that women think that they don't need to go in for a yearly pap smear anymore. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends yearly Pap screens for all women 21-35 years old. After 35, the recommendations depend on the woman's history. There are other strains that also cause cervical cancer, besides the two that the vaccine protects against. Remember vaccines just help prepare your immune system for when you may encounter the vaccine. Even the most effective vaccines do not provide 100% protection.
For more info about the Gardasil vaccine read this article.
