Girl, 14, dies after cervical cancer vaccine

Health officials have launched an urgent investigation after a 14-year-old girl died after being given a cervical cancer vaccine at school.

Natalie Morton died in hospital after receiving the Cervarix jab at her school – Blue Coat Church of England School in Coventry.

“The incident happened shortly after the girl had received her vaccine in the school. No link can be made between the death and the vaccine until all the facts are known and a post-mortem takes place,” said Dr Caron Grainger, joint director of public health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council.

As a result of the girl’s death, the batch of the vaccine has been put into quarantine while the investigation continues.

The jab protects against the human papilloma virus, which is commonly linked to cervical cancer.

The vaccination of 12 and 13-year-old girls was introduced in September last year.