HPV Vaccine Investigation Amidst Rising Concerns
An official review of possible side effects associated with the HPV vaccine has gone underway. The European Medicines Agency in the UK has officially begun an investigation into the side effect claims of the popular vaccine for Human papillomavirus, or HPV.
Official reports state that the review will focus on “rare reports of two things — complex regional pain syndrome and a condition where standing up causes dizziness and increased heart rate” (or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), even though both of these conditions exist in non-vaccinated individuals. The concern stems from the large amount of reports coming from vaccinated persons, which raises concerns about the HPV vaccine’s safety for patient use.
What is the HPV Vaccine?
The vaccine itself was introduced in the UK back in 2008, where it focused primarily on the demographic of girls ages 12-13.
Overseas in the United States, the vaccine has been given to both teenage boys and girls, ranging from ages 11-26 according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s estimated that about 72 million people worldwide have been distributing the vaccine.
With this new information, it is hoped that the review will determine whether or not the any changes to the vaccine will be recommended. Though there is no question as to whether the benefit of the vaccine will outweigh the risks, reviewers hope that this will better encourage informed patients and healthcare professionals.
This review also comes at a time when the vaccine is being offered to “at-risk” males in British Columbia, to address a “gap” in coverage between most at-risk demographics. The government-established program will provide the vaccine to boys and young men who exhibit the most concerning lifestyle attributes.
What Will the Results Bring?
The vaccine continues to be monitored by the European Medicines Agency, as well as by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, it still remains of concern amid rising side effect speculations, whether or not the vaccine does provide more harm than good to its patients. HPV itself has been linked to cervical cancer and genital warts. Even with concerns about side effects, the vaccine provides a much needed defense against this sexually transmitted disease.
