Home            Past Issues            About IP            About IAP           Author Information            Subscription            Advertisement              Search  

   
correspondence

Indian Pediatr 2011;48: 248

Human PapillomaVirus Vaccines and Current Controversy


SC Singhal

Singla Children & Maternity Hospital, 37/13 Extension, Urban Estate, Karnal 132 001, Haryana, India.
Email: [email protected] 
 


I fully agree with the views expressed by the authors [1] as far as the role of HPV vaccine in prevention of cervical cancer is concerned. I also agree that the vaccine is safe, devoid of any serious side effects, ethical, and socially desirable. But will it be legally safe to use this vaccine? When the authors have themselves agreed that suspending clinical trial while allowing clinical use is illogical, it does not require to be a legal luminary to conclude that when even the clinical trial of a drug/vaccine is suspended, its clinical use will not only be illogical but illegal too. Will the arguments given by them be valid in a court of law in case of any mishap after this vaccination, which may or may not be related to this vaccine. Every court is going to rule that when even clinical trial was suspended how clinical use can be justified. Moreover, as per media reports, which may or may not be correct, DGHS, Government of India has written to health ministers of all states not to use this vaccine till further orders (The Hindu 8th April, 2010). Therefore, I feel that one should not use this vaccine till the enquiry is finally over and the government clears this vaccine for all purposes. Please specify the official views of Indian Academy of Pediatrics regarding the legality of this vaccine, for the benefit of all members of IAP, especially practitioners.

Reference

1. Choudhury P, John TJ. Human papillomavirus vaccine and current controversy. Indian Pediatr. 2010;47:724-5.
 

 

Copyright© 1999 by the Indian Pediatrics (Disclaimer)