The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is set to resume calling on eligible girls to receive the vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which can cause cervical cancer.

       The ministry had stopped calling for people to get the vaccine eight years ago after those who had been vaccinated developed symptoms suspected to be side effects. The new policy would be a major change in direction. In addition to thorough explanations, it will be necessary to establish a support system for people who develop negative symptoms post-vaccinations prior to resuming inoculations.

       In April 2013, at the same time the health ministry began calling on girls between sixth grade and the first year of high school to receive the vaccine, the inoculations became free. The vaccination rate reached 70% among the eligible age group.

       But soon afterward, a large number of girls complained of serious symptoms such as full-body pain and memory loss.

       After the ministry stopped calling for girls to get vaccinated, the inoculation rate dropped to below 1%, so experts had been calling for vaccinations to be resumed. In Japan, around 10,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year.

       The health ministry's change in policy now comes against a backdrop of new data showing the vaccine's efficacy.

       In Swedish survey results announced last year, the risk of developing cervical cancer among women who received the HPV vaccine when they were between the ages of 10 and 16 was 88% lower than that of women who were not vaccinated.

       As for symptoms that were suspected to be side effects of the vaccine, an investigation carried out on some 70,000 people in the central Japan city of Nagoya showed that the same symptoms were confirmed in people who were not vaccinated, and there was no clear difference in the frequency with which they occurred. In multiple surveys conducted in the U.S. and Europe, there is no data showing a causal relationship between vaccination and symptoms.

       However, there is always a possibility of side effects with any vaccine. Particularly since inoculations are received by people who are healthy, the provision of correct and helpful information on the efficacy of the vaccines and how to determine their risks is essential.

       In resuming calling for girls to receive the HPV vaccine, there is a need to build a system that can respond to the questions and anxieties of girls eligible for the vaccine. There is also a need to set up a system in which people who complain of side effects can receive the appropriate treatment anywhere in the country.

       Even though the vaccine is highly effective, it is not a 100% guarantee against cervical cancer. It is also essential to let people know of the importance of regular checkups.

       There are 130 people suing the Japanese government and other entities for compensation over the health problems they developed after receiving the HPV vaccine. The government must enhance the support it provides to people who are dealing with emotional and physical symptoms following their vaccinations.

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