The Alliance for Natural Health today is calling on all Members of Parliament in the UK to help stimulate an independent and transparent scientific inquiry on the safety of the HPV vaccine.
Press Release
For immediate release
9th October 2009
ALLIANCE FOR NATURAL HEALTH CALL FOR AN URGENT SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY INTO THE HPV VACCINE USED IN THE UK
Reports of serious and even lethal adverse reactions to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, Cervarix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, raises grave concern over the safety of the vaccine. While its closely related vaccine, Gardasil, manufactured by Merck, is recognised by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to trigger severe reactions, namely hospitalisation, permanent disability, life-threatening illness or death, equivalent data in the UK appears not to be publicly available.
In addition, the tragic case of 14-year-old Natalie Morton’s death just two hours following her vaccination, which was considered by the pathologist in her post mortem as being completely independent of the vaccine, has raised further questions in the minds of many about the accuracy of reporting.
The role of the HPV vaccines in the development of disabling symptoms in the cases of Stacey Jones (18), Rebecca Ramagge (13), Lisa Wickenden (13), Carly Steel (13) and Ashleigh Cave (13), appears to be unresolved and circumstantial evidence would suggest that Cervarix may have been at least a contributing factor in their respective conditions.
Dr Diane Harper of the University of Missouri, who was directly involved in clinical trials on HPV vaccines, is among a growing number of scientists who have publicly expressed their concerns over the vaccines’ safety.
Cervarix was approved for use in the European Union in September 2007 for the prevention of precancerous changes in the cervix in girls and women between the age of 10 and 25. The vaccination programme started in September 2008 for girls aged 12 to 13, delivered in three injections over 6 months. There is a new, accelerated catch-up programme for girls aged 15 to 18 years starting in September 2009, due to complete by end of the academic year 2010.
Given the number of girls, the lack of transparency on the frequency and type of adverse reactions, as well as the possibility of long-term effects on the reproductive system, the Alliance for Natural Health is requesting all Members of the UK Parliament to put pressure on the Government to initiate an independent and fully transparent scientific inquiry on the short and long term effect of the vaccine.
The Alliance for Natural Health is an international campaign organisation comprised of scientists, doctors, lawyers, practitioners and consumers, working to promote natural and sustainable approaches to health through the use of ‘good science’ and ‘good law’.
Executive Director of the Alliance for Natural Health, Robert Verkerk, stated: “Young girls in the UK—as well as their parents and guardians—deserve to have the full facts on the risks and benefits of this vaccine to help them make properly informed choices. The NHS position is that the vaccine is safe, but the facts would suggest otherwise. Presently, there are no adequate data available on the comparative risks of Cervarix and Gardasil. Neither is there adequate information on the factors which may predispose certain individuals to serious adverse reactions, nor about the duration and effectiveness of immunity following single and multiple vaccinations. It is in the public interest—and of utmost urgency—that these key questions are answered by an independent scientific review panel and are made public.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Sophie Middleton
Campaign Administrator
The Alliance for Natural Health
The Atrium
Curtis Road
Dorking
Surrey
RH4 1XA
Tel: +44 (0)1306 646 600
info@anhcampaign.org
NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:
For more information about the HPV vaccine (by ANH Medical Director, Dr Damien Downing):
http://anhcampaign.org/news/anh-feature-the-hpv-vaccine-gardasil-in-the-spotlight
For more information about cases which may be linked to the HPV vaccine:
http://anhcampaign.org/news/brain-damage-follows-hpv-vaccination-in-uk
The ANH Vaccine Choice campaign page:
http://anhcampaign.org/campaigns/vaccine-choice
About the Alliance for Natural Health:
http://www.anhcampaign.org
The Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) is an international, non-governmental organisation, based in the UK. It was founded in 2002, and works on behalf of consumers, medical doctors, complementary health practitioners and health-product suppliers worldwide, to promote natural and sustainable health, using the principles of good science and good law.
Robert Verkerk DIC PhD MSc BSc
Executive and Scientific Director
The Alliance for Natural Health
Curtis Road
Dorking
Surrey RH4 1XA
United Kingdom
tel: +44 (0)1306 646 600
fax: +44 (0)1306 646 552
email: info@anhcampaign.org
www.anhcampaign.org
Follow Us!