Why do some folks think that Japan banned the HPV vaccine?

Looking at an immunization schedule from Japan, it is easy to see that none of this is true.

The usual suspects…

Did Japan Ban the HPV Vaccine?

But no, Japan never did ban the HPV vaccine.

The HPV vaccine is still on the immunization schedule in Japan and it is actively recommended by the Japan Pediatric Society.

What did happen is that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stopped formally recommending that everyone get vaccinated and protected with the HPV vaccine.

They removed their proactive recommendation for girls to get vaccinated against HPV infections.

Why?

“In Japan, coverage rates for the HPV vaccine have plummeted from 70 percent in 2013 to less than 1 percent today. This happened after a preliminary (and allegedly fraudulent) mouse study showing the vaccine caused brain damage was spread by the media, along with unconfirmed video reports of girls in wheelchairs and having seizures after getting immunized.” Why Japan’s HPV vaccine rates dropped from 70% to near zero

Sounds like they got Wakefielded…

But they quickly reinstated the recommendation though, right?

“To better understand the significance and health impact of the purported adverse symptoms from the HPV vaccine, a national epidemiological study of the general population in Japan was conducted by a research arm of the MHLW. In the research, similar numbers of girls with the same symptoms were reported in both vaccinated and unvaccinated girls.” Ikeda et al on HPV vaccination in Japan: what is happening in Japan?

After all, all of their investigations found no merit to the initial reports that led to the “ban.”

“In January, 2014, the Vaccine Adverse Reactions Review Committee investigating these adverse events concluded that there was no evidence to suggest a causal association between the HPV vaccine and the reported adverse events after vaccination, but they still did not reinstate proactive recommendations for its use.” JB Hanley et al on HPV vaccination crisis in Japan

Tragically, they didn’t.

“Suspension of the recommendation for vaccination has continued to the present, despite no scientific or epidemiologic evidence showing a causal link between postvaccination symptoms and HPV vaccines. This situation is unique to Japan.” Matsumoto et al on Reduction in HPV16/18 prevalence among young women with high‐grade cervical lesions following the Japanese HPV vaccination program

What was the effect?

We have long known that their policy led to much lower HPV vaccination rates in Japan.

And not surprisingly, lower HPV vaccination rates will once again led to higher rates of HPV infections, after years of declines among those who were vaccinated and protected.

Ueda et al showed the Dynamic Changes in Japan’s Prevalence of Abnormal Findings in Cervical Cervical Cytology Depending on Birth Year (CC BY 4.0)

And this is all happening in a country that is already seeing increasing rates of cervical cancer, “despite a decreasing trend in most developed countries.”

“We can’t afford to sit back and allow a similar situation to develop in which unscientific claims jeopardize lives around the world. The Japanese government should reinstate its proactive recommendation for the HPV vaccine and set a positive example before irrational fear of the vaccine gains further momentum in other countries.” Riko Muranaka on Stopping the Spread of Japan’s Antivaccine Panic

The only real questions now are why are they still waiting to reinstate a proactive recommendation in Japan?

“In Japan, the percentage of women getting a cervical cancer screening is low, while the incidence of cervical cancer is increasing. Therefore, the nationwide introduction of HPV vaccination was expected to bring cervical cancer under control.” Ikeda et al on HPV vaccination in Japan: what is happening in Japan?

And how many people will unnecessarily get HPV infections and cervical cancer until they do?

More on Banned Vaccines

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