HEALTH chiefs say they will carry on giving the cervical cancer vaccine to local schoolgirls, despite the death of a 14-year-old in Coventry.
Natalie Morton died in hospital on Monday after being given the HPV1 Cervarix vaccination at her school. Tests have been carried our to see whether there was any link with the jab.
Dr Adrian Dawson, director of public health for Bournemouth and Poole, said: “Our deepest sympathies are with the family of this young girl, but we do need to wait for the results of tests to determine the cause of this tragedy.
“We are continuing with the vaccination programme as planned for the children of Bournemouth and Poole. Our priority is to protect our young women against cervical cancer, and this vaccine will save the lives of about 400 women each year.”
This is the second year that girls in Bournemouth and Poole have been vaccinated. They have three jabs, with the second dose 21 days after the first, and the third six months after the second. It’s said to give high levels of protection for at least six years.
• Parents or girls worried about the vaccine can view the link below , or contact school nurse manager Chris Griffiths (Poole) on 01202 711538, or Geraldine Hannay (Bournemouth) on 01202 443715.
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