Cervical cancer jab: Is it safe?

Average rating:

14-year-old Natalie Morton died from an aggressive tumour, not from taking the cervical cancer vaccine, an inquest has heard.

Natalie died in hopsital on Monday a few hours after having the jab, but new evidence has revealed that she had a tumour that had infiltrated her heart and was pressing on her lungs. The tumour had not been detected before she was given the jab.

The deputy coroner at the inquest said the vaccine was not thought to have contributed to her death.

The vaccine is still on hold in some parts of the country, as Natalie's death caused many parents and pupils to worry about the safety of the vaccine.

So, is it safe to let your daughter have the vaccine? The Department of Health is still encouraging girls to have the jab.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said: 'The HPV vaccine has passed the rigorous safety testing needed for it to be used in the UK and other European countries. More than 1.4 million doses have now been given in the UK.'

There were reports earlier this year of girls having reactions to the jab, including dizzyness, fainting and sometimes as serious as chronic fatigue syndrome and being paralysed.

At the time, David Salisbury, the director of immunisation for the Department of Health, said: 'There have only been a small number of reports of reactions compared with the number of injections given. Most of these reactions have been to having an injection, not specifically to the HPV vaccine.'

What is the jab?

The HPV vaccine is a 3 stage vaccination, rather than a one off injection.

The HPV virus is a common sexually transmitted disease that can be passed on even if a condom is used. There are many strains of the virus and the jab protects against the two that cause 70% of cases of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer amongst women in the world. Around 1,000 women die from it each year in the UK. The vaccination aims to save around 400 lives every year.

The campaign for the vaccine gained lots of publicity after Jade Goody lost her battle with the disease in March, at the age of 27.

Where to next?

- More information on the cervical cancer vaccine
- Jade Goody: Cervical cancer need to know guide
- More information on cervical cancer

By Katie McPhilimy

Rate this!

Average rating:

Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below

goodtoknow, about 1 month

Hi Alice Thanks for your comment. There is some new information on Natalie, the girl who died after having the cervical cancer vaccine, on this page now. I hope that helps.

Report this comment

Alice Gerry, about 1 month

Hello, my name is Alice and i'm 16 years old. Monday last week i had the first cervical cancer jab. I have to return in 3 weeks for the next one but from the news in the press i'm worried to have it again. Could it effect me if i've already had the first one with no problems? And is it worth having if there is going to be not many people having them? Please help, i'm stuck with what to do! Thank you, alice xx

Report this comment

laurennnn :) , about 1 month

i have to have the jab on thursday and im really worried now !! please send me some info for me cos im worryed!!!x

Report this comment