Fiona Kirby of Kilbeggan, Co.Westmeath claims her daughter suffered “horrendous adverse effects” after receiving the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer and brought the case to court. Ms.Kirby is a nurse and a member of a parents support group, REGRET (Reaction and Effects of Gardasil Resulting in Extreme Trauma). The mother was accompanied in court by other women who are all members of the parents support group.
Ms Kirby is seeking a High Court order for the withdrawal of the license given for the Gardasil HPV vaccine which is currently offered to 11-16 year old girls to prevent forms of many forms of cervical cancer. The vaccine has been offered to teenage girls in Ireland since May 2010 as part of the schools vaccination programme and is recommended by the World Health Organsiation. The REGRET group claims about 100 girls have allegedly reported illness after getting the vaccine.
In an affidavit Ms Kirby claims, within 24 hours of receiving the vaccination in October 2011, her 11-year old daughter presented with severe flu like symptoms. Her daughter suffered the same symptoms after she got her second vaccine shot. Her daughter did not receive the third dose of the vaccine. Ms Kirby claims her daughter suffered severe nausea which led to weight loss and muscle wastage. Her daughter also missed days at school, was hospitalised with bilateral pneumonia in March 2012 and was on antibitoics for six weeks.
Her daughter needs to be cared for on a permanent basis, she claims. The case was adjourned by Mr Justice Paul Gilligan for three weeks to allow the HPRA file a replying affidavit.