Thank you for taking all the comments in good spirit. Sometimes, a cascade of theses kind of replies can be misconstrued as an attack for even asking the question. But I think that everyone just wants the best information out there so people can make good science based decisions.

Brian - There is no other way to take the comments except in good spirit. I've been with OCF long enough to know the heart and altruistic nature of those who come here to help and support each other. You have no idea how grateful I am and how much I appreciate what you have done for me and everyone who has found OCF. I have been trying to gather info for a friend so that she can have some really accurate info supporting the Gardasil shots and as you mentioned "make a good science based decisions". In addition to the HPV and Gardisal links from OCF which I am forwarding to her, I've also checked Quackwatch, FDA, CFR, Skeptoid, forthesakeofscience.com, innovation.org, who all refute claims by the anti-vax groups. The Quackwatch has some really great articles on "25 ways to Spot Quacks and Vitamin Pushers" and "More Ploys that can Fool You". Thank you for all you do for us.

There is no risk-free path in life, and I say this as the parent of a child who developed epilepsy 5 days after a MMR. Our high school son, with our help, weighed all of the available information and decided to take Gardasil. For our family the benefits outweighed the risks. That said, we do what we can to limit exposure that has no benefit, i.e. do not use aluminum pans (cast iron only) and do our best to eat organic, clean food.

Ana - How nice that you included your son in the research of information so that he could make the Gardasil decision. I agree that there is no risk-free path in life. All we can do is inform ourselves and learn everything we can so as to make informed and science-based decisions.

[quote=Brian Hill] Look at Australia that has 73% of all their school age girls vaccinated with Gardasil without serous incident. The difference isn't that Australians are different biologically than Americans, it is that they do not have a huge anti vaccine crowd in their midst spreading pseudo science and innuendo. [/quote]
The New York Times' "Well" blog had a post yesterday about a new study in BMJ, a leading British medical journal, on the success of the HPV vaccine program in Australia.

Thanks, Leslie! I made copies of both, the NY Times post and the BMJ study. There was also a link from the NY Times story about studies which counter the notion that the vaccine alters sexual behavior. Since I first posted, with the info from OCF and several other science-based sites, I've put together quite a collection of pro-Gardasil information. Just yesterday I sent an email to the "friend" I mentioned earlier that included a two-page attachment of all the important links for her to consider in making a decision. She and her daughter are very important to me and I cannot make decisions for anyone but myself. But, if I can provide correct medical information to counter what all the anti-vaccine people are spreading, I will feel better about perhaps helping someone to avoid what my son Paul went through in surviving his oral cancer. Thank you OCF and everyone who helped me do that!

Ok, I know there are folks who are relaying unscientific information, but I have to pop up here and say, that by labeling any one with a concern a "wing-nut", you run the risk of losing folks in the middle...the very people we need to listen to the solid information backing the need to protect children with this vaccine. Just saying, I think we're much better off to stay on the facts, and leave out anything that may evoke a purely emotional response.

Ana, Im sorry. You are correct, I have edited out the phrase.

Slate also has a piece about the new BMJ study (with lots of links to add to your list, Anne-Marie!).

Oh-Oh, Ana - you are so right! I used the term in question too, and it really does not help to alienate anyone. Christine - maybe you would want to edit out the one in my previous post as well?

And thanks, Leslie, for the Slate link. I have added it to my list which is getting to be quite extensive already.