Fiji Cancer Society Raises Concerns

The Fiji Cancer Society is concerned about the revelation that the Health Ministry has decided to withhold information on the Human Papilloma Virus or (HPV) vaccine, which is being used to immunize girls from 9 to 12 years in Fiji.Cancer Society representative and breast cancer survivor Mereoni Taginadavui is concerned that the ministry is saying the vaccine, Gardasil, which is being used is safe although its long term side effects are not known at this stage.She also said it is cruel for the Health Ministry to leave out the information in their pamphlets distributed to parents that Gardasil is still in its post marketing surveillance period as some drugs have been taken off the shelves during this period.The National Adviser for Family Health Doctor Josaia Samuela said Gardasil had already gone through the clinical tests and it had been proven that the vaccine prevents infection from HPV.He said HPV can cause cervical cancer and parents of the girls between the ages of 9 and 12 years should give their consent to have their daughters vaccinated as it will assist in the prevention of cancer of the cervix.But Doctor Samuela admitted that the vaccine, Gardasil is still new and its long term effects are still unknown.The Cancer Society's, Mereoni Taginadavui also revealed that she had come across an 18 year old girl who had gone through all three shots of Gardisil to prevent cervical cancer and had serious side effects. Taginadavui said the Health Ministry and all the stakeholders should concentrate on educating people on the cause of cervical cancer as 99 percent of the cases are caused by multiple sex partners.Fijivillage had received confirmation that the vaccine, Gardasil was received by Fiji as a donation due to its short term shelf life from the drug company, Merck. Merck had given Fiji a total of 111,000 vaccines valued at US$13.9 million. According to the Food and Drug Administration in the US which approved Gardisal, it said in a letter dated June 8th, 2006, to Merck that the final study protocol was to be submitted by December 31st, 2006, patient accrual completed by December 2008, the study to be completed by June 30th, 2009 with the final study report to be submitted by September 30th next year.Although Doctor Samuela stressed that the clinical tests are complete and based on that they have taken advantage of the free vaccine provided by Merck, he does admit that Gardasil is still in its post marketing surveillance period and some drugs have been taken off the shelves during this period. An Australian Research Fellow who is attached to Fiji's Health Ministry said the HPV vaccine Gardasil is safe.Pediatrician Doctor Fiona Russel said many countries are currently using the vaccine and the clinical tests are complete however, she admitted that during the Post Market Surveillance Period some drugs have been taken off the shelves. Doctor Russel said the Post Marketing Surveillance Period does not mean that the vaccine cannot be used.Although Doctor Samuela stressed that the clinical tests are complete and based on that they have taken advantage of the free vaccine provided by Merck, he does admit that Gardasil is still in its post marketing surveillance period and some drugs have been taken off the shelves during this period.Fijivillage asked Doctor Samuela why the Health Ministry pamphlet which is being distributed to parents for their consent for their daughters to be vaccinated does not have the information that Gardasil is in its post marketing surveillance.He said it will only confuse parents and they may not allow their daughters to be vaccinated.