HPV Vaccine Japan

About HPV Vaccine Japan

Japan suspended active recommendation of HPV vaccine in June 2013 after media reports of complex regional pain syndrome and other conditions in vaccinated girls. The Ministry of Health did not withdraw the vaccine from the market but stopped actively recommending it. HPV vaccination coverage plummeted from approximately 70 percent to less than 1 percent. A modelling study in The Lancet Public Health estimated that the suspension could lead to thousands of additional cervical cancer deaths. Japanese researchers published studies disputing the link between HPV vaccine and the reported conditions. The World Health Organization maintained its recommendation for HPV vaccination. In 2022, Japan resumed active recommendation after reviewing safety data. The 9 year suspension is estimated to have caused significant preventable harm. The case illustrates how media coverage and political decisions can undermine evidence based vaccination programs.