Five 12-year-old schoolgirls have been hospitalized after experiencing adverse reactions following the administration of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, which is given to prevent cervical cancer, at school.
The affected students, all seventh graders of Venivelpitiya Junior College in Anguruwathota, fell ill shortly after receiving the vaccine, the police said.
A team from the Millaniya Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office had vaccinated 26 female students in the school, but five of them soon displayed symptoms including headaches, abdominal pain, and fainting.
The sick students were initially taken to Haltota Regional Hospital by officers from the Millaniya MOH office, where they received emergency treatment. Subsequently, they have been transferred to Horana District Hospital for further treatment.
According to a hospital spokesperson, the students are currently being treated in Ward No. 6 and are in stable condition.
All five girls are residents of Venivelpitiya, the police said.
Anguruwathota Police have received a formal complaint regarding the incident, and are conducting further investigations.
