A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Gardasil Vaccine

The Gardasil Campaign, which used commercials, pamphlets, and articles, is a perfect example of health communication. The Gardasil Campaign by Merck Pharmaceuticals begin in 2006 and promoted the use of the Gardasil Vaccine, which helps to protect against 4 strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine protects against two specific strains of HPV that cause the majority of cervical/vaginal cancers. The slogan for the Gardasil Campaign is “One Less” as in one less person with HPV or cervical cancer. The campaign used risk message frames, stigmas, emotions, and scare tactics to reach the universal public fear of cancer to influence and persuade that consumers get this vaccination. Previously,when looking at the rhetoric, the Gardasil …show more content…
Disease can be defined as a biomedical distinction or malfunction, essentially a presence of a medical anomaly that is diagnosable. An example of a disease is celiac disease, which is a serious genetic autoimmune disease that is triggered by consuming gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and malt). Celiac disease damages the villi of the small intestine which can lead to malnourishment and even cancer. The autoimmune disease is diagnosed through blood tests and an endoscopy biopsy. Celiac disease has no cure but can be treated by living a gluten free lifestyle. Illness is personal and a subjective distinction that can be defined as experiencing a state that is different from the ‘norm’ and being ‘unwell.’ Some examples of illness, following the celiac example, are gastrointestinal distress, hives, chest pain, canker sores, stomach ulcers, brain fog, infertility, and fatigue. These are all symptoms that are subjective because the person experiencing them will be able to define what is different from the norm and what is feeling unwell. Lastly, sickness can be described as a sociological distinction (the way we are perceived socially) and something that legitimizes the Talcott Parsons’ sick role. Examples of sickness, following the celiac disease example, include being told that you aren’t allergic to gluten, people believing that you are just a picky eater, not being taken seriously, being called a fad follower, being told that you are just on a diet, people telling you that you don’t eat enough, being told people feel sorry for you, and even people telling you “what do you even eat? I couldn’t do it.” It is important to remember that a person can have each of these individually, dually, or all at