THAT shouldn't even be necessary! This is NOT an epidemic disease.
I reject the assertion that it should not be given to children at all because the evidence is that it is safe
What evidence? The studies that I read in Feb and March were on 16 to 25 yr olds. A study on 9 to 12 yr olds was to start in Japan in Jan 2007.
Wow, so you're bashing one effective preventative because it doesn't treat a completely different disease.
No. I'm "bashing" because they're making a vaccine for a RARE disease that will make them more money.
That's part of the reason, and as I already pointed out, the profits from Gardasil will help subsidize R&D for less profitable drugs.
BUNK.
Orphan Drug
A designation of the FDA to indicate a therapy developed to treat a rare disease (one which afflicts a U.S. population of less than 200,000 people). Because there are few financial incentives for drug companies to develop therapies for diseases that afflict so few people, the U.S. government offers additional incentives to drug companies (i.e. tax advantages and extended marketing exclusivity) that develop these drugs.
Do you know why this vaccine isn't classed an orphan drug? Because Merck can tell women "Get the vaccination because you could "catch" cancer". It is marketable to more than 200,000 women on a "maybe".
What mechanism do you propose to magically make it fatal for 9-12 year olds when 16-25 year olds experience nothing significant?
No. I'm "bashing" because they're making a vaccine for a RARE disease that will make them more money.
?? Are you mad that they're attempting to save thousands of lives, or that they might make some money doing it?
BUNK.
Not bunk. Most drugs manufactured do not turn a profit, their production is subsidized by drugs such as Gardasil.