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Cancer jab alert after girl dies Cancer jab alert after girl dies
(9 minutes later)
Health chiefs have launched a "full and urgent" investigation into the death of a 14-year-old girl after she was given a cervical cancer vaccine at school.Health chiefs have launched a "full and urgent" investigation into the death of a 14-year-old girl after she was given a cervical cancer vaccine at school.
Post-mortem tests into the exact cause are expected to be held on Tuesday.Post-mortem tests into the exact cause are expected to be held on Tuesday.
The girl, named locally as Natalie Morton, died in hospital on Monday after receiving the Cervarix jab at the Blue Coat CofE School in Coventry.The girl, named locally as Natalie Morton, died in hospital on Monday after receiving the Cervarix jab at the Blue Coat CofE School in Coventry.
There have been 4,657 suspected reactions to Cervarix from more than 1.4m doses, according to experts.There have been 4,657 suspected reactions to Cervarix from more than 1.4m doses, according to experts.
The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency added it had received 2,137 reports between 14 April 2008 and 23 September this year.The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency added it had received 2,137 reports between 14 April 2008 and 23 September this year.
However, the risk of severe, potentially life threatening reactions is estimated at no more than one per million doses of vaccine. However, the risk of severe, potentially life-threatening reactions is estimated at no more than one per million doses of vaccine.
Dizziness and nauseaDizziness and nausea
Coventry PCT's Mike Attwood: 'We are pausing the immunisation programme'Coventry PCT's Mike Attwood: 'We are pausing the immunisation programme'
The batch of the vaccine used has been placed into quarantine as a "precautionary measure".The batch of the vaccine used has been placed into quarantine as a "precautionary measure".
The local NHS also confirmed the vaccination programme would continue, but after a "short pause".The local NHS also confirmed the vaccination programme would continue, but after a "short pause".
Dr Caron Grainger, joint director of public health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council, said their sympathies were with the girl's family and friends.Dr Caron Grainger, joint director of public health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council, said their sympathies were with the girl's family and friends.
Once in a while you will expect someone to have a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, just as with food or any medication Dr David EllimanGreat Ormond Street Hospital Q&A: The cervical cancer vaccine Once in a while you will expect someone to have a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, just as with food or any medication Dr David EllimanGreat Ormond Street Hospital Q&A: The cervical cancer vaccine
She said: "The incident happened shortly after the girl had received her HPV vaccine in the school. No link can be made between the death and the vaccine until all the facts are known and a post-mortem takes place.She said: "The incident happened shortly after the girl had received her HPV vaccine in the school. No link can be made between the death and the vaccine until all the facts are known and a post-mortem takes place.
"We are conducting an urgent and full investigation into the events surrounding this tragedy.""We are conducting an urgent and full investigation into the events surrounding this tragedy."
The teenager died at the city's University Hospital on Monday lunchtime.The teenager died at the city's University Hospital on Monday lunchtime.
A small number of girls at the school had also reported mild symptoms such as dizziness and nausea but were not admitted to hospital.A small number of girls at the school had also reported mild symptoms such as dizziness and nausea but were not admitted to hospital.
In a statement posted on the school's website, headteacher Dr Julie Roberts said during the immunisation, "one of the girls suffered a rare, but extreme reaction to the vaccine".In a statement posted on the school's website, headteacher Dr Julie Roberts said during the immunisation, "one of the girls suffered a rare, but extreme reaction to the vaccine".
"A number of other girls also reported being unwell and some were sent home," she said."A number of other girls also reported being unwell and some were sent home," she said.
"If your daughter has received a vaccine today we ask that you are extra vigilant regarding any signs or symptoms.""If your daughter has received a vaccine today we ask that you are extra vigilant regarding any signs or symptoms."
Dr Julie Roberts has urged parents to be extra vigilant for signs of symptomsDr Julie Roberts has urged parents to be extra vigilant for signs of symptoms
She listed possible reactions as mild to moderate short-lasting pain at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, fatigue and a low-grade fever.She listed possible reactions as mild to moderate short-lasting pain at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, fatigue and a low-grade fever.
The injection - part of a national immunisation programme - protects against the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease linked to most cervical cancers.The injection - part of a national immunisation programme - protects against the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease linked to most cervical cancers.
A routine programme of vaccinating 12 and 13-year-old girls started in September 2008 across the UK using the Cervarix vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline. A catch-up campaign is now under way for older girls.A routine programme of vaccinating 12 and 13-year-old girls started in September 2008 across the UK using the Cervarix vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline. A catch-up campaign is now under way for older girls.
It is thought about a million girls have already safely received the jab.It is thought about a million girls have already safely received the jab.
Dr David Elliman, a consultant in community paediatrics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, told the BBC it was important to investigate "very quickly" to allay people's fears about the safety of the jab.Dr David Elliman, a consultant in community paediatrics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, told the BBC it was important to investigate "very quickly" to allay people's fears about the safety of the jab.
He said: "Once in a while you will expect someone to have a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, just as with food or any medication.He said: "Once in a while you will expect someone to have a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, just as with food or any medication.
It is important we have the results of further investigations as soon as possible to establish the cause of this sad event Department of HealthIt is important we have the results of further investigations as soon as possible to establish the cause of this sad event Department of Health
"At this stage we don't know what was the tragic cause of this child's death, so whether or not it's linked we cannot say, but these are the sort of things one would look for - a severe allergic reaction or more likely a coincidence.""At this stage we don't know what was the tragic cause of this child's death, so whether or not it's linked we cannot say, but these are the sort of things one would look for - a severe allergic reaction or more likely a coincidence."
When the national immunisation project was announced, there was some controversy about the selection of Cervarix over Gardasil, which is used by the majority of vaccination programmes worldwide.When the national immunisation project was announced, there was some controversy about the selection of Cervarix over Gardasil, which is used by the majority of vaccination programmes worldwide.
Dr Pim Kon, medical director at GlaxoSmithKline UK, which makes Cervarix, said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the young girl.Dr Pim Kon, medical director at GlaxoSmithKline UK, which makes Cervarix, said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of the young girl.
"We are working with the Department of Health and MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) to better understand this case, as at this stage the exact cause of this tragic death is unknown.""We are working with the Department of Health and MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) to better understand this case, as at this stage the exact cause of this tragic death is unknown."
The global pharmaceutical company added that the vast majority of suspected adverse reactions have related either to the symptoms of recognised side-effects or were due to the injection process and not the vaccine itself.The global pharmaceutical company added that the vast majority of suspected adverse reactions have related either to the symptoms of recognised side-effects or were due to the injection process and not the vaccine itself.
Safety recordSafety record
Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family. It is important we have the results of further investigations as soon as possible to establish the cause of this sad event."Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family. It is important we have the results of further investigations as soon as possible to establish the cause of this sad event."
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In the UK, about 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and about 1,000 die from it.In the UK, about 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and about 1,000 die from it.
The department said Cervarix had a strong safety record.The department said Cervarix had a strong safety record.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the tragedy needed to be investigated "as a matter of urgency".Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the tragedy needed to be investigated "as a matter of urgency".
There are more than 100 types of HPV but only 13 of them are known to cause cancer.There are more than 100 types of HPV but only 13 of them are known to cause cancer.
Cervarix protects against two strains of HPV that cause more than 70% of cases of cervical cancer in women.Cervarix protects against two strains of HPV that cause more than 70% of cases of cervical cancer in women.
Vaccination is not compulsory and consent is required before it is administered to the under-16s.Vaccination is not compulsory and consent is required before it is administered to the under-16s.
Are you a parent concerned about your daughter having this jab? Send us your views using the form below.Are you a parent concerned about your daughter having this jab? Send us your views using the form below.
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