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Letter to the Editor - Concerns over HPV vaccination |10 April 2014

I have no doubt that the intention of the Seychelles government is good concerning the recent introduction of the HPV vaccination as a measure against cervical cancer and that such vaccination is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

As a responsible citizen, I am very much worried about this because such vaccination has been withdrawn in Japan and several other countries because of the vaccination's potential lifetime-irreversible-serious side effects. My concern is based on the following references which have been brought to my attention by some friends overseas who have read about the Seychelles project in this respect:-

1. Source from Japan Times, Asahi Shinbun
- Victims hit cervical cancer vaccines.
- Paralysed teens, parents demand subsidised shots be eradicated.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/24/national/victims-hit-cervical-cancer-vaccines/#.U0PeaYcaySO http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201306150057

2. Source from Medscape News
- Why Japan has withdrawn HPV vaccine recommendation. http://www.cwhn.ca/en/node/46030

3. Source from The Telegraph
 - Two thousand schoolgirls suffer suspected ill-effects from cervical cancer vaccine.
- Thousands of schoolgirls have suffered suspected adverse reactions to a controversial cervical cancer vaccine introduced by the government.
By Laura Donnelly, Health Correspondent9:00PM BST 12 Sep 2009 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6178045/Two-thousand-schoolgirls-suffer-suspected-ill-effects-from-cervical-cancer-vaccine.html

4. Source from CBS News
- Side effect fears stop parents from getting HPV vaccine for daughters.
By MICHELLE CASTILLOCBS NEWSMarch 18, 2013
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/side-effect-fears-stop-parents-from-getting-hpv-vaccine-for-daughters/
I do hope that our government can confirm that the Ministry of Health has made a thorough worldwide research review of the effects and side effects of such vaccination before making a final decision to introduce this vaccine. We must remember that most recipients of such vaccination will be young teenage girls and that should anything go wrong, the suffering caused will be long term.

I have heard nothing but positive comments about the vaccination's programme which are in place in Seychelles today through our health authorities and I am sure that they must have gone thoroughly through the pros and cons of the cervic cancer vaccination before deciding in favour of a pro-vaccination project. However, now that SBC is systematically engaged in promoting the programme, many worried parents have expressed to me their concern and it would appear to me that many of them are not aware that the programme is not a compulsory one and that they have a choice as to whether their child should go for it or not.

James R. Mancham


 

 

 

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