For Summer Fun, The Gardasil Beach Towel
10 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // August 7th, 2007 // 8:19 am
What better way to advertise to other beachgoers that you’re free of a sexually transmitted disease than to wrap yourself in this nicely designed terry velour towel, which measures 30 inches by 60 inches. Catch a wave and then use the towel to make clear to that attractive person nearby that genital warts or HPV won’t be a problem. Truly, this is a new way to advertise the advantages the vaccine has to offer. Frisky teenagers will love them!
Hank
As Ed knows, this somewhat preempts a t-shirt idea of mine. But the towel has possibilities. What if the phrase was added, “My butt’s on Merck.”
Anne R Ford
We know you specialize in spoofs and jabs but Merck has been so relentless in their Gardasil campaign that I wouldn’t put it past them to get out a beach towel promoting the vaccine. Do tell - is it for real?
TBTAM
“What better way to advertise to other beachgoers that you’re free of a sexually transmitted disease…”
Actually, that’s not corrent. Vaccinated individuals are immune to only 4 strains of HPV, and even then only if they haven’t previously acquired one of those strains prior to vaccination. I just did a post on this common misperception about the vaccine.
TBTAM
Forgot to say I love your blog….
Lyndzi Burian
I have had my series of Gardasil shots. I would really like to know if there is a Gardasil “One Less” tee shirt available.
Laura
I would love to find out if there is a tee shirt to promote the vaccine. I was not lucky enough to have this vaccine available to me and have had numerous surgeries to remove bad cells from the cervix. I have beat it for now, but would be happy to promote this vaccine so girls in the future will not have to go through what I have gone through!
Ann
I just finished the series and I didn’t do it because I am a “frisky teenager.” I am 17 years old and know right from wrong very well. I did it because the technology is now available for me to lead a healthier lifestyle than so many other girls before me. It doesn’t take sleeping with a handful of men to get HPV; it only has to happen once and we all know, there will eventually be one for all of us. I’m getting irritated with this jab at the illusion of skanky girls getting these shots so they can sleep around without the fear of getting HPV.
Ed Silverman
Hi Ann,
Thanks for your note. And I appreciate your point of view. I wrote about the towel as I did because of the controversy over Merck’s aggressive marketing of Gardasil and the debate over whether the vaccine is appropriate.
I wasn’t making a judgement, but it did - and still does - strike me as curious that such a product would be advertised on a beach towel of all things, as opposed to, say, a cholesterol pill or a medication for arthritis. Think about it that way for a moment.
Meanwhile, I hope you’re doing well.
Regards
ed at Pharmalot
HorusCat
Perhaps Merck could offer free Garasil tattoos…
Ed, any word on them offering the vaccine to women older than 25? Any insight on whether that would be necessary if one were in a monogamous relationship?
Ed Silverman
Hi HCat,
I suppose a tattoo might function as an indicator, of sorts, yes? The towel would then not be necessary.
Anyway, yes, last month the FDA indicated it would look at the vaccine for women between 27 and 45.
http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/03/for-merck-one-more-gardasil-market/
As to monogamy, well, it would appear that is considered a different form of prevention. The CDC states that HPV is contracted through genital contact. So if one is concerned enough, I suppose one should avoid playing doctor until he or she is involved in such a committed relationship.
Hope that helps,
ed