Human Papillomavirus

(asked on 14th July 2014) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risks associated with human papilloma virus vaccines.


Answered by
Earl Howe Portrait
Earl Howe
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
This question was answered on 23rd July 2014

As with all vaccines and medicines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has closely evaluated the safety of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine since it was introduced into the national immunisation programme in 2008. This has involved continual review of suspected side effects reported via the Yellow Card Scheme, evaluation of safety data from other countries and the worldwide medical literature as well as use of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) to further evaluate any potential safety signals.

The MHRA has sought independent expert scientific advice from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) on the emerging safety experience with HPV vaccines. Details of the MHRA safety reviews, endorsed by CHM, can be found at:

www.mhra.gov.uk/HPVvaccine.

Information on the safety of vaccines and reports of suspected side effects from the MHRA are also regularly shared with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to inform immunisation policy.

As with any vaccine or medicine, HPV vaccine may cause side effects in some people and these risks are described in the product information (the Summary of Product Characteristics for healthcare professionals and the Patient Information Leaflet). Any potential side effects are outweighed by the expected benefits in protecting against the illness and mortality associated with infection with the human papillomaviruses covered by the vaccine.

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