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12th August 2017
10:44am BST

“When it comes to the HPV vaccine, the jury is in – the vaccine is safe and saves lives. The Irish Cancer Society has been vocal on this issue for quite some time. “It’s only natural that parents are fearful when they hear claims about a vaccine. "It’s terrible that young girls get sick, but to link their illness to a life-saving vaccine when all the research shows no link is dangerous and threatens lives. “Large studies looking at 3-4 million women, vaccinated and unvaccinated, found no evidence whatsoever that HPV vaccination causes any immune or nervous system disorder. "The World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency have concluded that the injection is safe and has no link to any serious illnesses. “All the evidence does show, however, that the vaccine prevents cervical cancer. "That’s why the decision parents make now on the vaccine can have serious consequences for their daughters.”Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI), added:
“At our most recent AGM, NWCI members voted to fully support all efforts around increasing the uptake of the HPV vaccine. We see this issue as hugely concerning for women’s health. “Not only does cervical cancer kill 90 women in Ireland each year, it leaves many more infertile due to the side effects of harsh and invasive medical treatment for the disease. "These are lasting consequences which young women – and their parents – will have to live with for the rest of their lives. “No woman should have the choice of having a biological family taken away from them because they did not receive a safe and life-saving vaccine. "That’s why it’s important that we do all we can to ensure the public know all the facts about the HPV vaccine.”
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