It has been confirmed at an inquest in Coventry today that Schoolgirl Natalie Morton died due to a large tumour in her chest and not as a result of receiving the injection to protect against cervical cancer as previously thought.
The 14 year old pupil of the Blue Coat Church of England School in Coventry lost consciousness on Monday after being given the Cervarix vaccine, which reduces the risk of cervical cancer by protecting against the main cause - the human papilloma virus (HPV).
She passed away shortly after, at the city’s University Hospital.
Dr Caron Grainger, joint director of public health for NHS Coventry and the city’s council, said, “The pathologist has confirmed today at the opening of the inquest into the death of Natalie Morton that she died from a large malignant tumour of unknown origin in the heart and lungs.
“There is no indication that the HPV vaccine, which she had received shortly before her death, was a contributing factor to the death, which could have arisen at any point.”
The news that the vaccine may have been the cause of death caused widespread panic across the country as the batchused at the victim’s school and throughout England and Scotland was restricted to quarantine.
The Department of Health confirmed that the vaccination programme would resume with new supplies of the drug from the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline.
Dr Grainger added, “We hope that this news will reassure parents that the vaccine is safe and that they should continue to encourage their daughters to be protected against cervical cancer. The HPV vaccination programme will continue as planned in the city from Monday.”
The Cervarix jab has already been distributed to 1.4 million pupils in England in a bid to protect all girls between 12 and 18 by the end of 2010.
A Department of Health spokesman said yesterday, “We have been clear all along that there is no reason to suspend HPV immunisation — the programme against cervical cancer continues today.
“Some areas may have minor interruptions to the immunisation programme because they do not have sufficient stock of vaccine — this is a temporary situation following the precautionary batch recall by the manufacturer.
“Others may have decided to pause to make sure parents and girls have all the facts they need.
“We have one of the most successful immunisation programmes in the world and have great confidence in the safety of them. Young girls can continue to protect themselves against cervical cancer by having this vaccine.
“The Department of Health strongly recommends that local immunisation continues as soon as possible.”
