HPV vaccine has nothing to do with infertility: DGHS

The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine that is taken to prevent cervical cancer does not cause infertility or have religious obligations, authorities clarified on Wednesday as misinformation is spreading in this regard.

"HPV vaccination has nothing to do with infertility. Also, there is no negative correlation between religious practices and vaccination activities. We all have to come forward consciously from our respective positions against such rumours and propaganda," Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Md Abu Zafar said at a press briefing held at the DGHS on Wednesday.

During the vaccination programme at a centre, two female students suddenly fell ill after receiving vaccine and after seeing them sick, a few more female students also fell ill and were admitted to upazila health complex on Tuesday.

Currently, all of them have recovered and left the hospital with clearance. It is to be noted that five female students were admitted to the hospital but did not receive any vaccine.

Initially, the disease was thought to be a mass psychogenic illness. Besides, a committee has also been formed to investigate this incident, he explained.

Dr Md Abu Zafar also said that usually after any inoculation, very few negative reactions are seen in the body of the vaccine recipient and then it feels better within a very short time if she takes rest.

HPV vaccination was targeted for 6.2 million girls this year while 1.8 million of them have been vaccinated till October 29.

So far, only 271 individuals in seven divisions have had such symptoms as fever and pain, which was very insignificant in terms of numbers.

It should also be noted that the HPV vaccine meant for the Bangladesh vaccination programme is manufactured in Belgium.

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