Vaccine stock removed after death

Some stocks of the cervical cancer vaccine being used in NI have been withdrawn after the death of a girl, the NI chief medical officer has said.

The 14-year old took ill in school in England after receiving the HPV vaccine and later died.

Dr Michael McBride said "no link can be made between the death and the vaccine until all the facts are known and a post-mortem takes place".

"I would urge parents and children not to panic," said Dr McBride.

"The removal of this particular batch of the vaccine is purely a precautionary measure while the tragic death in England is being fully investigated."

"Some stocks of the same batch of the Cervarix vaccine were issued to Trust pharmacies in Northern Ireland and we have requested Trusts to quarantine this batch.

"School nurses and GPs have been informed not to use this particular batch until the results of testing are known."

Natalie Morton died in hospital on Monday after receiving the Cervarix jab at the Blue Coat Church of England School in Coventry.

Headteacher Dr Julie Roberts paid tribute to her as a "happy easy-going child who worked hard".

Post-mortem tests into the exact cause are expected to be held on Tuesday.

The routine HPV vaccination programme was introduced for girls aged 12-13 years (school year 9) in September 2008.

The human papillomavirus (HPV), is found in most women who have developed cervical cancer.

It is spread from one person to another during sexual activity.

There are over 100 types of HPV but only 13 of these are known to cause cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine will protect against types 16 and 18 which are the two most common types causing cervical cancer.