Europe investigating after reports of side-effects from some cervical cancer vaccines

The HPV vaccine for cervical cancer is being investigated by the European Commission.

The commission has requested that the European Medicines Agency examine reports of possible side-effects arising from some cervical cancer vaccines.

MEP Mairead McGuinness says there have been reports of some young women in Ireland and other EU countries suffering from painful and heart related symptoms after being given the vaccine.

Ms McGuinness said she hopes a report into the issue is completed as soon as possible.

She said: "What will emerge from the investigation is a bringing together of all of the reported cases particularly around the two medical conditions - one in relation to the heart issue and the other to severe pain syndrome.

"I think there will be clarity after this investigation.

"I regret to say that I don’t know how long this will take, but I do hope that we get answers sooner rather than later."