HPV vaccination crisis in Japan.

www.thelancet.com Vol 385 June 27, 2015 2571 Submissions should be made via our electronic submission system at http://ees.elsevier.com/ thelancet/ similar adverse event crises, are already documenting substantial reductions in precancerous cervical lesions in those vaccinated. No vaccine safety signal has been recorded in Japan. Instead, individuals who have the misfortune to be unwell with rare or diffi cult to treat disorders have been encouraged by antivaccination advocates to blame the HPV vaccine, especially in an unrestrained media environment and with little reassurance and systematic addressing of these events by the government. According to the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, “Allegations of harm from vaccination based on weak evidence can lead to real harm when, as a result, safe and eff ective vaccines cease to be used.” Sadly, this is what has transpired in Japan.