North East mam fights for answers over daughter's "mystery" illness
A Bedlington mum has opened up about the pain of watching her daughter waste away
Last updated 4th Aug 2017
A Bedlington woman, who gave up her job to look after her sick daughter, is determined to get more testing for the HPV vaccine.
Vicky Oakley’s 16 year old daughter has been left barely able to get out of bed, vomiting constantly and unable to walk far or stand.
Holly was a regular teenager until she was 13, when she fell ill shortly after having the injection.
Now Vicky is fighting for more tests on the drug before it is given to kids, she has been in touch with her MP, Ian Lavery, asking him to help her get answers as to what is going on.
Vicky spoke to us about how tough it has been watching her daughter change from a sporty, bubbly teenager;
Vicky explains she is not anti-vaccine, but that people need to know all the possible side effects before giving it to their children.
Public Health England have released a statement about the vaccine, which is used to prevent cervical cancer;
Joint Statement from PHE and MHRA
“The HPV vaccine is the most effective way for young girls and women to protect themselves against cervical cancer.
“Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women under the age of 35. Every year around 900 UK women, almost all in age groups not protected by the vaccine, die from this cancer.
“Most women aged 15 to 25 years old in the UK have now received the vaccine and millions more have been vaccinated worldwide.
“As with all vaccines, the safety of the HPV vaccine is under constant review. Every report of a suspected side effect is taken seriously.
“Health authorities around the world, including UK experts, the World Health Organisation, the US Centre for Disease Control and the European Medicines Regulator have recently extensively reviewed the vaccine’s safety and have concluded that there is no credible evidence of a link between the HPV vaccine and a range of chronic illnesses.”
Vicky writes a blog, following Holly’s journey, as well as being part of several online support groups for other sufferers, you can find more links via their Facebook;
https://www.facebook.com/Hollysgardasiljourney/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HPVvaccinehelpandsupportforparents/