Schoolgirls struck by mystery symptoms – even before being vaccinated
Sixteen Prathom 5 schoolgirls experienced chest tightness, palpitations and fainting while being vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV) at Ban Krang School in Phitsanulok’s Muang district on Wednesday.
Tambon Ban Krang Health Promotion Hospital nurse Jarunee Nasorn confirmed that 16 students had developed the symptoms - 11 of whom had yet to receive the vaccine.
Jarunee said her team had earlier vaccinated other students without any side effects or problems.
Most of the students recovered after receiving first aid, although three were taken to two hospitals. One of the three was said to have suffered an asthma attack.
The government HPV vaccination project covers about 400,000 Prathom 5 schoolgirls nationwide.
Starting this month, the project is intended to prevent cervical cancer, the second most common cause of death by illness in Thai women.
Thailand has about 6,000 new cases of cervical cancer reported each year and the death rate is about 3,000 a year.
Medical staff are investigating the causes of the girls’ symptoms.
