HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that may involve warts on the genitals or surrounding skin. It is a common disease that impacts nearly 80 million Americans. While HPV does not have a dramatic effect on those who have it when they first contract the disease, there can be long-term health impacts if the disease does not go away. Specifically, some people have developed cancer that originated from a case of HPV.

With that in mind, most people decide to receive a vaccine against HPV. The primary vaccine that is in use in the United States is called Gardasil 9. Previously, both Gardasil and Cervarix were the primary vaccines, but they were removed from the market since they were not entirely effective in preventing all types of HPV. Gardasil is manufactured by Merck and the company makes a lot of money from the vaccine. The vaccine was previously approved for use in males and females in the U.S. between the ages of nine and 26 years old. In 2018, the FDA approved usage of the vaccine in adults between the ages of 27 and 45. As a result, Merck’s annual sales of the vaccine have surged past $2 billion annually.

In practice, Gardisil has drawn its share of controversy. While the proportion of complications to the overall number of people who receive the vaccine is small, some of the side effects can be severe. According to the FDA, the vaccine is safe for usage. The agency still tracks the number of injuries through its Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). Over a 12-year span, there were over 36,000 reports made to the VAERS of complications that resulted from the vaccine. Roughly seven percent of these cases were considered to be serious cases of side effects. Even though the overall ratio of harmed patients is small, this number still represents 3,000 cases of serious side effects.

Gardasil 9 has not been as controversial as the original Gardasil, but it has also had its share of side effects. In a four-year period, there have been nearly 8,000 reports filed with the VAERS. Roughly three percent of these reports have involved serious incidents. Below are some of the more serious possible side effects of Gardasil 9.

Guillan-Barre Syndrome

This is a disease where the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system. It can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis, and sometimes it can be permanent. While GBS is relatively rare, it does result from some vaccines when a virus is introduced into the body because it often results in the wake of an infection. So far, there have been reports of four GBS cases in connection with Gardasil 9.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

POTS is a condition where patients experience lightheadedness and a rapid heartbeat upon standing. One factor that can cause POTS is a recent viral infection. POTS has been associated with both Gardsisil and Gardisil 9. There have been 17 reports of POTS through the VAERS. The FDA is currently planning a more extensive study of POTS that may result from a number of childhood vaccines.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

There have been reports that the HPV vaccine has caused some women’s ovaries to stop functioning prematurely before the age of forty. While there has not yet been a documented link, this issue is at least a cause for concern.

Anaphylaxis

This is a rare, but serious, allergic reaction that one can experience after receiving an HPV vaccination. When this happens, your body releases chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction. The reaction is severe and it can be life-threatening. For example, those with peanut allergies can experience this type of allergic reaction. Those who have known risk factors for this type of allergic reaction should not receive the HPV vaccination. This type of allergic reaction necessitates a trip to the emergency room and it has caused death in some cases.

Since Gardisil 9 is a vaccine that is given to children as young as the age of nine, it is eligible for inclusion in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This fund covers injuries that arise from vaccines that are given for children. The fund will cover injuries that are recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The patient’s age does not determine whether the vaccine injection is eligible for compensation. Instead, it is the age range of the patients who generally receive the vaccination. If children receive it, then anyone who is administered the vaccine can receive compensation depending on what a special federal court decides.

While flu vaccine injuries are the most common form of claims made to the VICP, Gardisil claims are also made in large numbers. In 2014, there were media reports that $5,877,710 was awarded to date to 49 victims. The same article referenced 26 deaths that were connected to Gardisil. Claims relating to Gardisil 9 are still relatively few in number because the vaccine is newer to the marketplace. Anyone who has been injured by Gardisil 9 should get immediate legal help so they can learn how they can file a claim for compensation with the VICP. Contact the attorneys at The Law Offices of Sadaka Associates for a free evaluation of your case.