Human papillomavirus vaccine safety in pediatric patients: an evaluation of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System

Ann Pharmacother. 2009 Feb;43(2):356-9. doi: 10.1345/aph.1L492. Epub 2009 Jan 20.

Abstract

Recent news reports have linked the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to serious adverse events (AEs) in children and adolescents. We used the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database to extract postmarketing AEs reported in patients who received the vaccine. Since approval of the HPV vaccine in the US, 3174 AEs occurring in children and adolescents (aged 6-17 y) have been reported to the VAERS. Of these, 191 (6%) were deemed to be serious. Although these AEs are of significant concern, more research is required before they can be directly correlated with the vaccine.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems*
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Female
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / etiology
  • Humans
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines