BMJ  2008;336:1146 (24 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39583.741921.3A

Letters

Human papillomavirus vaccine

Some issues around consent remain unresolved

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Brabin et al’s success in achieving an uptake of 70% of two doses of human papillomavirus vaccine among adolescent schoolgirls is extremely encouraging.¹ However, this pilot study has raised important issues that will need to be addressed before the vaccination programme is rolled out nationally.

Guidance is currently ambiguous in situations where there is a disagreement between a parent and child’s decision about vaccination. Parental opinion is divided as to whether a girl should be able to seek the vaccine without parental knowledge.² The principle of "Gillick competence" might apply if a girl sufficiently understands the concepts involved and wishes to make the decision for herself.³ However, given that the long term effects of this vaccine are not known, is it safe for children to be vaccinated without those with parental responsibility knowing? Furthermore, would it be ethical to apply Gillick competence in such a setting?

¹ Southampton University Hospital Trust, Southampton SO16 6YD

---

Competing interests: None declared.

1. Brabin L, Roberts SA, Stretch R, Baxter D, Chambers G, Kitchener H. et al. Uptake of first two doses of human papillomavirus vaccine by adolescent schoolgirls in Manchester: prospective cohort study. BMJ 2008;336:1056-8. (10 May.)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Brabin L, Roberts SA, Kitchener HC. A semi-qualitative study of attitudes to vaccinating adolescents against human papillomavirus without parental consent. BMC Public Health 2007;7:20.[CrossRef][Medline]
3. Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority and Department of Health and Social Security [1983] 3 WLR (QBD).

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    StumbleUpon    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Uptake of first two doses of human papillomavirus vaccine by adolescent schoolgirls in Manchester: prospective cohort study

Loretta Brabin, Stephen A Roberts, Rebecca Stretch, David Baxter, Gloria Chambers, Henry Kitchener, and Rosemary McCann
BMJ 2008 336: 1056-1058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Online poll

Find out more >>