The results of a review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the HPV vaccines was published yesterday. Since 2010 the HPV vaccination has been given to girls in post primary schools in Ireland in an effort to help prevent developing the HPV virus which in some women, can cause cervical cancer. The EMA review had been launched following reports of abnormal reactions to the vaccines in girls in a number of countries.

In Ireland, the parents' support group 'Reaction and Effects of Gardasil resulting in Extreme Trauma ( Regret) was set up by parents who claim their daughters became ill after getting the vaccine. One of it's members is currently seeking a Hight Court order for the withdrawal of the license given for Gardasil HPV alleging her daughter suffered serious reactions after receiving the HPV vaccine.

A further 27 others have also reported that their daughters were suffering similar reactions to the drug to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) who monitors medicines here in Ireland.

HPRA submitted the data of all adverse reports of side effects to The European Medicines Agency's (EMA) and an EU level safety review for HP vaccines was initiated by the EMA's Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) .

The results of the review published yesterday by PRAC states they found no causal link between the HPV vaccines (Cervarix, Gardasil/Silgard and Gardasil-9) and the development of chronic pain illness such as CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). They stated that they "thoroughly reviewed the published research, data from clinical trials and reports of suspected side effects from patients and healthcare professionals, as well as data supplied by Member States. It also consulted a group of leading experts in the field, and took into account detailed information received from a number of patient groups that also highlighted the impact these syndromes can have on patients and families."

The PRAC concluded that the available evidence does not support that CRPS and POTS are caused by HPV vaccines. Therefore there is no reason to change the way the vaccines are used or amend the current product information.

The report went on to say that the " review recognised that more than 80 million girls and women worldwide have now received these vaccines, and in some European countries they have been given to 90% of the age group recommended for vaccination. Use of these vaccines is expected to prevent many cases of cervical cancer (cancer of the neck of the womb, which is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in Europe each year) and various other cancers and conditions caused by HPV. The benefits of HPV vaccines therefore continue to outweigh their risks.  The safety of these vaccines, as with all medicines, will continue to be carefully monitored. "

View the PRAC report here

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