Vaccination programme still on after girl's death

The Government expressed great confidence in the safety of its cervical cancer vaccination programme yesterday night following the death of a teenager who collapsed after receiving the injection at her school.

The Department of Health said preliminary results from a post-mortem examination had shown that Natalie Morton had a "rare and grave" underlying medical condition.

Natalie, 14, died on Monday after being taken ill at Coventry's Blue Coat Church of England School around 90 minutes after being vaccinated.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Preliminary results from the autopsy on Natalie Morton, who sadly died on Monday, confirm that she had a rare and grave underlying medical condition that was likely to have caused her death.

"Before this was known, the vaccine manufacturer voluntarily initiated a recall of one batch of vaccine as a precautionary measure. "We have been clear all along that there is no reason to suspend HPV immunisation - the programme against cervical cancer continues today.

"We have one of the most successful immunisation programmes in the world and have great confidence in the safety of them. Young girls can continue to protect themselves against cervical cancer by having this vaccine.

"The Department of Health strongly recommends that local immunisation continues as soon as possible."