A campaign group claims schoolgirls who have opted out of having the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination are being 'intimidated and pressured' from nurses and school staff.

The Alliance for Natural Health International (ANHI) has revealed it has received reports of tension between officials and parents, which it claims is placing 'unwarranted stress' on youngsters and their families.

The group also alleges 'girls are being unfairly questioned about their reasons for not consenting to the vaccine with a view to getting children to change their minds and going against the will of their parent(s) or guardian.'

This has prompted the international group, which promotes natural healthcare approaches, to share a letter template for parents who are refusing the anti-cancer vaccine to send to schools.

The latest development comes following headlines about teenage girls who claim they have suffered devastating side-effects after having the HPV vaccine - including paralysis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

ANHI says it has received reports of schoolgirls being 'intimidated and pressured' to have the HPV virus if they refuse (stock photo)

MELINDA MESSENGER SPARKED HPV ROW The former glamour girl was slammed for her controversial opinion Melinda Messenger was accused of scare-mongering after revealing she wouldn't be giving her teenage daughter the HPV vaccine. The TV personality revealed her strong views on the issue on This Morning last year and was criticised by the show's resident doctor, Dr Christ Steele. She expressed her concern over daughter, Evie, 13, having it following a link between the jab and a range of chronic illnesses. Viewers branded her decision 'irresponsible' and Melinda said hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were also overly hostile towards her, both on stage and off. It is believed there was an attempt by the UK Public Health Association to ban her from even appearing on the show. Advertisement

ANHI uploaded a post to its website that said: 'With the summer holidays nearing their end in both England and Wales (Scotland’s already started back) and with the new school year almost upon us, it may be off many parents’ radar that the next push for HPV vaccination of their teenage daughters is just over the horizon.

'We’ve been receiving reports of intimidation and undue pressure from nurses and school staff that places unwarranted stress on schoolgirls who have opted out of HPV vaccination.'

ANHI also provided a link to the letter which was written by The UK Association of HPV Vaccine Injured Daughters (AHVID).

The suggested wording makes clear that both parents and child have discussed the issue. The letter includes a signature from the parent and daughter and reference to a copy of the correspondence having been forwarded to a solicitor.

HPV has been linked to cervical cancer and, under an NHS scheme introduced in 2008, all girls aged 12 to 15 are offered the vaccine against it.

Last year, the parents of Ruby Shallom, 16, from Bracknell, Berkshire, claim she was left paralysed in three limbs and in hospital on a drip after having the HPV vaccine.

And in May, 13-year-old Zara Beattie, from Wigton, spoke out about her agony as she was left wheelchair-bound and feeling like an '80-year-old' after the jab - which again her parents pin the blame on.

However, health officials across the world have always strongly denied there are any nervous system affects - and recent research appears to confirm this.

What is the HPV vaccine?

The vaccine protects against HPV which causes cervical cancer - the most common cancer in women under 35 - and is thought to save some 400 lives each year.

As with any vaccine, there is a very small chance of a severe allergic reaction with the HPV jab, according to the Vaccine Knowledge Project at the University of Oxford.

THE HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection. In fact, almost every sexually active man or woman will get it during their lifetime. It is spread through sex and oral sex with someone who has the virus, regardless of whether they show symptoms. Many people never show symptoms, and the majority of cases go away without treatment. However, it can sometimes cause genital warts and/or cancer. Symptoms can arise years after infection. Around 99 per cent of cervical cancer diagnoses are related to infections like HPV. HPV can also cause cancers of the throat, neck, tongue, tonsils, vulva, vagina, penis or anus. Often, the cancer does not develop until years after a patient was infected with HPV. Source: CDC Advertisement

Up to February 2017, 11,867 reactions to Gardasil have been recorded, according to The European Medicines Agency.

Many report symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, and cases of girls being left paralysed are rare. Fatalities have occurred, reports also showed.

THE 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL LEFT PARALYSED BY THE HPV VACCINE Ruby Shallom suffered spasms and pain A 16-year-old girl was left paralysed in three limbs and in hospital on a drip after having the controversial HPV jab, MailOnline reported last December. Back in 2014, Ruby Shallom was vaccinated at school to protect her against cervical cancer as part of the routine NHS programme. But just weeks later, the keen horse-rider and runner started to suffer from stomach spasms, dizziness, pain, headaches and fatigue. Her muscles became weaker and in May 2016 - two years after she was given the jab - she woke up with no feelings in her legs whatsoever. She has since lost all sensation in both her legs and one of her arms and is virtually bed bound - unable to eat, lift or dress herself, incontinent and often too weak to lift her head. Doctors have been unable to diagnose her with anything and have dismissed it as being psychological, refusing to acknowledge any link to the jab. Advertisement

No credible evidence

But authorities around the world agree there is no evidence to support a link between HPV vaccination and chronic illnesses.

The World Health Organisation, the US Centre for Disease Control and the European Medicines Regulator have 'extensively reviewed the vaccine's safety'.

They concluded there is 'no credible evidence of a link between the HPV vaccine and a range of chronic illnesses'.

Public Health England and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency renewed their stance earlier this year.

A spokesperson said: 'As with all vaccines, the safety of the HPV vaccine is under constant review. Every report of a suspected side effect is taken seriously.'

And recent research on more than 175,000 Norwegian girls found there is no increased risk in those who have the jab.

Norwegian Institute of Public Health scientists discovered unvaccinated girls face the same risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome.

Study author Berit Feiring said: 'This is a major study where we have investigated the association between HPV vaccination and chronic fatigue syndrome.

'The incidence of this disease has increased in Norway, but we found no association with HPV vaccination.'