Cervical vaccine case adjourned

The Health Products Regulatory Authority wants the High Court to dismiss a mother’s case aimed at securing the withdrawal of a vaccine given to schoolgirls to prevent cervical cancer.

Fiona Kirby, a nurse from Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, has brought proceedings seeking orders requiring the authority to withdraw the HPV vaccine. Ms Kirby claims her daughter suffered “horrendous” adverse consequences after being given it. The vaccine, known by its trade name Gardasil, has been offered to school girls since May 2010.

A support group called R.E.G.R.E.T. (Reaction and Effects of Gardasil Resulting in Extreme Trauma) is supporting Ms Kirby’s action and some members protested outside the Four Courts when the case was briefly mentioned yesterday.