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Cancer jab 'unlikely' death cause Cancer jab 'unlikely' death cause
(9 minutes later)
A girl who died shortly after being given a cervical cancer vaccine had a "serious underlying medical condition", an NHS Trust has said.A girl who died shortly after being given a cervical cancer vaccine had a "serious underlying medical condition", an NHS Trust has said.
NHS Coventry said the vaccination was "most unlikely to have caused the death" of Natalie Morton, 14.NHS Coventry said the vaccination was "most unlikely to have caused the death" of Natalie Morton, 14.
She was given the Cervarix jab at Coventry's Blue Coat School on Monday and fell ill a few hours later.She was given the Cervarix jab at Coventry's Blue Coat School on Monday and fell ill a few hours later.
Earlier the government said a national cervical cancer immunisation programme should continue. The government said its national cervical cancer immunisation programme should continue.
Dr Caron Grainger, joint director of public health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council, said the results of a preliminary post-mortem examination had "revealed a serious underlying medical condition which was likely to have caused death".Dr Caron Grainger, joint director of public health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council, said the results of a preliminary post-mortem examination had "revealed a serious underlying medical condition which was likely to have caused death".
"We are awaiting further test results which will take some time," she said. "However indications are that it was most unlikely that the HPV vaccination was the cause of death.""We are awaiting further test results which will take some time," she said. "However indications are that it was most unlikely that the HPV vaccination was the cause of death."
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.
'Easy-going child''Easy-going child'
The Department of Health has ordered the batch of vaccine to be quarantined as a precaution, but insists there is no reason to stop the programme.The Department of Health has ordered the batch of vaccine to be quarantined as a precaution, but insists there is no reason to stop the programme.
Public health minister Gillian Merron said: "We hope that girls continue to protect themselves against cervical cancer by having this vaccine."
Meanwhile, the vaccine manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, announced it was recalling the batch - AHPVA043BB - for testing.Meanwhile, the vaccine manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, announced it was recalling the batch - AHPVA043BB - for testing.
Headteacher Dr Julie Roberts and the Bishop of Coventry on the death of Natalie MortonHeadteacher Dr Julie Roberts and the Bishop of Coventry on the death of Natalie Morton
The Department of Health said it was working with the NHS and regulatory bodies to thoroughly investigate Natalie Morton's case.The Department of Health said it was working with the NHS and regulatory bodies to thoroughly investigate Natalie Morton's case.
A department spokesman said: "No link can be made between the death and the vaccine until all the facts are known.A department spokesman said: "No link can be made between the death and the vaccine until all the facts are known.
"Results of tests on the batch of vaccine will be announced as soon as they are known."Results of tests on the batch of vaccine will be announced as soon as they are known.
"The HPV vaccination programme can continue as planned - there is no reason for the campaign to be suspended or interrupted.""The HPV vaccination programme can continue as planned - there is no reason for the campaign to be suspended or interrupted."
He added that minor delays may occur in the next day or so while some areas await fresh supplies of HPV vaccine to replace quarantined stock. He added that minor delays might occur in the next day or so while some areas awaited fresh supplies of HPV vaccine to replace quarantined stock.
NHS Coventry has not suspended its HPV programme but has decided to reschedule catch-up clinics planned for Tuesday and Wednesday.NHS Coventry has not suspended its HPV programme but has decided to reschedule catch-up clinics planned for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Adverse reactions to Cervarix Total number of reactions reported between April 2008 and 23 September 2009 Q and A: Cervical cancerAdverse reactions to Cervarix Total number of reactions reported between April 2008 and 23 September 2009 Q and A: Cervical cancer
Natalie's death has left schoolmates and staff shocked and saddened, headteacher Dr Julie Roberts said.Natalie's death has left schoolmates and staff shocked and saddened, headteacher Dr Julie Roberts said.
She described Natalie as a "happy, easy-going child who worked hard".She described Natalie as a "happy, easy-going child who worked hard".
A routine programme of vaccinating 12- and 13-year-old girls started in September 2008 using the Cervarix vaccine. 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 using the Cervarix vaccine. 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.
More than 1.4 million doses have been given out, of which there have been 4,657 suspected reactions reported, according to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency.More than 1.4 million doses have been given out, of which there have been 4,657 suspected reactions reported, according to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency.
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, licensed for use in Europe since September 2007, protects against two strains of HPV that cause more than 70% of cervical cancer cases.Cervarix, licensed for use in Europe since September 2007, protects against two strains of HPV that cause more than 70% of cervical cancer cases.
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.
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.
Parents or young people concerned about the safety of any vaccine are being advised to speak to their GP, visit www.nhs.uk or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.Parents or young people concerned about the safety of any vaccine are being advised to speak to their GP, visit www.nhs.uk or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.