Copious scientific and medical studies attest to safety, efficacy of the HPV vaccine

immunized by vaccines of all sorts. This information can be accessed from any Biology text book on the topic of vaccination.

Secondly, Gardasil contains aluminum hydroxide (AH), not strictly aluminum. AH can also be found in medication for heartburn, ulcers and antacid products. AH is used in many other vaccines. AH acts as an immune responder in relation to vaccines. There is no causal connection between Gardasil (or AH) and a weakening or dysfunctional immune system. (See Dr. EB Lindblad, ‘Aluminum Compounds for use in Vaccines’ – 2004). The statement is simply unfounded, and bears striking resemblance to a debunked article posted on ‘Washington Times’ dated 13/12/2014 which contains no objective source supporting their claims.

Lastly, since the Gardasil vaccine does not contain any actual HPV virus, it cannot be carcinogenic. (See ‘Review of Gardasil’ – 2010 by US National Library of Health). The authors noted that whether the vaccine may prove cancerous “cannot be known yet though; many years have to pass first.” Many years have passed since the vaccine became available (in 2006) and over 270 million doses of HPV vaccines have been distributed. Safety studies have been conducted over these many years on several million persons, comparing the risks for a wide range of health outcomes. No link to cancer - or any other life threatening diseases - has been found.

Concern Four: “The Japanese Health Ministry stopped recommending Gardasil vaccination for their citizens since 2013 and continues to maintain this position.”

According to Japanese newspaper Asahi, covering the matter, “The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is not suspending the use of the vaccination, but it has instructed local governments not to promote the use of the medicine while studies are conducted on the matter. So far, an estimated 8.9 million people have received the vaccination, out of which, 176 cases of possible side effects, including body pain, have been reported.” Note the sum difference among people who reported possible side effects compared with the total sum of those who received the vaccine. In other words, 0.0019 % of cases reported side effects potentially caused by the vaccine. However, a national expert committee led a clinical review of data related to the 176 cases found no causal connection between the reported side effects and the Gardasil vaccine.

Despite their conclusion, the Japanese Government still refused to resume the campaign. (See Dr. Eiji Yoshioka, ‘HPV Vaccination Crisis in Japan’— 2015).

This is a classic example of correlation not necessarily meaning causation. Furthermore, the WHO notes that “the mortality rate from cervical cancer in Japan, where HPV vaccination is not proactively recommended, increased by 3.4% from 1995 to 2005 and is expected to increase by 5.9% from 2005 to 2015.” In Japan, around 10,000 women die every year from cervical cancer. According to Japanese physicians, this number could likely be reduced if the government chose to restart their vaccination campaign. Worth noting is that the vaccine is still available for purchase in Japan which means the Government does not find the vaccine itself dangerous, but, more likely, just not worth the risk of (as yet unsubstantiated) claims that may serve to besmirch the Government’s image.

While we agree with the authors’ call for greater emphasis on screening for cervical cancer, we strongly encourage them to desist from spreading poorly researched or misleading stories questioning the safety or usefulness of the HPV vaccine. It is hardly an effective method of encouraging the Ministry of Public Health to revisit best cost-effective strategies for reducing the rate of cervical cancer in Guyana. Furthermore, it is irresponsible if it results in parents refusing to have their girls receive a potentially life-saving vaccination given the existing challenges of accessing resources. Finally, it is just dishonest. The copious amounts of scientific and medical studies on millions of people undertaken by international experts which verify the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine abound in the public domain. A few anecdotes of adverse reactions, with no conclusive causal link to the vaccine, do not warrant the scaremongering, most especially from persons who say they are committed to the health of women and girls.

We agree with Sherlina and friends regarding the need for the Ministry to improve their public awareness programmes on HPV so that the public can understand the benefits of receiving the vaccine which causes minimum side effects, similar to many common medicines. This outreach is especially needed in indigenous communities in which the rate of cervical cancer is highest in Guyana (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology June 2010).

The HPV vaccine administered by the Ministry is safe, effective and currently plays a very crucial role in Guyana’s fight against cervical cancer. As they say, prevention is better than the cure. The HPV vaccine can prevent up to 70% of cervical cancer cases. This method should not be reserved only for those who can afford it.

Finally, we recommend receivers of the HPV vaccine consult with their doctors immediately should they to experience any abnormal reaction - a very low probability of happening - which could be due to unforeseen allergies or other health complications.

Yours faithfully, Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Dr. Stefan Hutson Dr. Nastassia Rambarran, MPH Kumar Latchman - Chemist Navina Paul – Medical Student Gibran Azeez – Medical Student Matthew Xavier - Medical Student Mahendra Doraisami – Biologist Meshach Pierre – Biologist Ria Bisnauth - Biologist Michael Philander - Biologist Ferlin Pedro