Dear Editor,
I HAD reason to write a letter to the editor to inform the MoPH about damaging rumours being spread on social media about the HPV vaccine. Today I write to provide new research out this month on the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in reducing morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer. This was published in the reputable British Medical Journal.

The research was conducted in Scotland where analysis of vaccination and screening records for 140,000 women who went for their first cervical screen from 2008-2016. The data found that the HPV vaccine programme, which was started 10 years ago, has significantly reduced the incidence of cervical disease which covers the spectrum of atypical PAP smears to cervical cancer. To be more precise, the vaccines have resulted in a 90 per cent decrease in pre-cancerous cells, that is the cells that progress to cervical cancer.

The research further highlighted that the vaccine is “highly effective” and should greatly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the future. This is obvious since HPV is the main cause of over 99 per cent of cervical cancer cases. Hence, reducing infections and pre-cancerous cell mutations would result in the reduction in cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.

The researchers then concluded and I will quote verbatim, “The findings will need to be considered by cervical cancer prevention programmes worldwide.” In essence, other countries now venturing into or conducting HPV vaccines need to review these positive findings to guide their programmes.

Mr. Editor, these are just data emanating out of Scotland. I am confident similar data will soon come out of other countries. Also, this research only focused on cervical cancer. Similar research needs to be done on the HPV vaccine and head-and-neck, vulvo-vaginal and anal cancers.

Mr. Editor on that very letter on HPV vaccines, I alluded to the dangers of misinforming the public on vaccines. I alluded to the misinformation on measles vaccine and autism.

I alluded to how this misinformation has created a worldwide endemic of measles. I am sure the readers must have read about the most recent outbreak in the media, but I will share it anyway to reinforce the point and dangers of spreading misinformation on vaccines. On the March 27, 2019, Rockland County, on the Hudson River north of New York City, had to declare a state of emergency following a severe outbreak of measles. Just try to imagine what damage such an outbreak could cause on a small economy like Guyana.

In concluding, I would wish to inform attention-seeking misinformed persons like Mark Jacobs et al that their actions do have consequences. If you wish to champion alternative medicine then provide the scientific evidence and research underpinning it. Simply trying to destroy established medicine to champion your cause and get yourselves some media attention can cause loss of lives and hurt to families. As usual, I am looking forward for alternative views in this debate, if there is ever a need for one in this case.
Regards
Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) FRCP(Edin)
Consultant Acute Medicine
Nottingham University Hospital