The Ministry of Health has issued an announcement regarding the hospitalization of five female students of a school in Kalutara district after receiving the HPV vaccine to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
It is stated in the announcement that it is not appropriate to create an undue commotion regarding the media report published recently regarding the occurrence of symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and headache among the five female students in question.
It states that the students have been given prompt medical treatment and are now in a stable condition. Such minor side effects are short-term and there is no need to cause undue fear or panic.
The Ministry of Health states that cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in Sri Lanka. The most important and successful way to prevent it is the HPV vaccine, and this vaccine is safe and effective, and has been certified by the World Health Organization, the statement added.