Co Kildare teenager calls for warning those with weak immune systems before getting HPV vaccine

A Co Kildare teenager diagnosed with a heart condition when she was born is calling for the HSE to warn those with a weakened immune system before taking the HPV vaccine, claiming that a stinging rash and other health issues she now gets could have been as a result of the vaccine.

Her mother said:”She had a heart condition since when younger, she  never needed an operation, there was nothing major with her, a few ear infections, but she was healthy. She got up early every morning, she played sports, before the HPV vaccine.She would get pain in the arm for months after getting the HPV vaccine. She never had a reaction from any other type of vaccine.”

More informed consent is needed says her mother who says that the full side effects of the vaccine were not given to her.

The HSE says that every year in Ireland over 6,500 women need hospital treatment for a precancerous growth and over 280 (many young) women need treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) for invasive cervical cancer. 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in Ireland. It is estimated that 90 of these women die from cervical cancer.

At the age of 12, the Co Kildare teenager got the HPV vaccine and at the age of 14, she was treated for Lyme Disease.

However, the Co Kildare teenager  and her mother are expressing concerns that the HPV vaccine may have led to Lyme Disease flaring up. She says that she does not recall being bitten by a tick, the cause of Lyme Disease.

The teenager said:“I am not saying not to get the vaccine, it could prevent cervical cancer, but read the patient information leaflet, if you have a suppressed immune system, don’t get the injection.It is everyone’s choice, but all of the information is needed.”

According to the HSE, the HPV vaccine protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they grow up.

The World Health Organisation says that that the HPV vaccine is ‘extremely safe’ and should be offered to all girls to prevent cervical cancer.

The teenager said:“Whenever my energy levels were low, I would get the pain in my arm where I got the vaccine. My blood pressure was low, the doctor came in and assessed me, and because my mother had bi-polar, I was sent to a psychologist. The psychologist said that I was fine.”

She attended a Lyme specialist, she said: “The weight was dropping off me. I was nearly 14. He knew what was wrong with me, the blood tests came back that I had two infections of Lyme Disease.”

She said: “I was on a lot of vitamins, I was doing well, I would get tired and a bit sore during PE. In December a big, horrible rash arrived, it was just after Christmas. We went to hospital, and I was diagnosed with HSP. The rash can have an effect with my kidneys. Anytime I am tired, the rash effects me. It stings like mad.. My hands are always cold. I would keep getting that, they found three lesions on my kidneys. There is a benign tumour on my kidney.”

Co Clare woman, Laura Brennan, in her mid -twenties,  who is battling cervical cancer, is encouraging every parent ensures that their daughter gets the HPV vaccine. Laura was too old to get the vaccine when it was first rolled out in Irish schools.

She said:“I wish the vaccine had been available to me, of course I do. Don’t get swayed by rumours about the vaccine’s safety– get the vaccine.”

The HSE says that girls still need to get regular smear tests as the vaccine does not protect against all types of cervical cancer.

Most people will get a HPV infection during their lifetime, usually from sexual activity, says the HSE.

According to the Patient Information Leaflet medical advice should be sought before getting the HPV vaccine if the child ‘has a weakened immune system, for example due to a genetic defect, HIV infection or medicines that affect the immune system.’

The Gardasil HPV Patient Information Leaflet says: "Gardasil can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects can be seen after the use of Gardasil, very commonly (more than one in 10 patients), side effects found at the injection site include: pain, swelling and redness. Headache was also seen. Commonly (more than one in 100 patients), side effects found at the injection site include: bruising, itching, pain in extremity. Fever and nausea have also been reported. Rarely (less than one in 1000 patients): hives (urticaria). Very rarely (less than one in 10,000 patients), difficulty breathing (bronchospasm) has been reported. When Gardasil was given with a combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis [acellular, component] and poliomyelitis [inactivated] booster vaccine during the same visit, there was more headache and injection-site swelling. Side effects that have been reported during marketed use include: fainting, sometimes accompanied by shaking or stiffening. Although fainting episodes are uncommon, patients should be observed for 15 minutes after they receive the HPV vaccine. Allergic reactions that may include difficulty breathing, wheezing (bronchospasm), hives and rash have been reported. Some of these reactions have been severe. As with other vaccines, side effects that have been reported during general use include: swollen glands (neck, armpit, or groin); muscle weakness, abnormal sensations, tingling in the arms, legs and upper body, or confusion (Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis); dizziness, vomiting, joint pain, aching muscles, unusual tiredness or weakness, chills, generally feeling unwell, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, and skin infection at the injection site.”