Public funds allocated for research into possible adverse reactions from HPV vaccination

Three projects will receive public funds of DKK 7 million, which the Danish Parliament has earmarked for research into possible adverse reactions from HPV vaccination.

The public funds are earmarked for research projects that can provide greater insight into any causal relationship between HPV vaccination and serious symptoms experienced as adverse reactions from the vaccination. Researchers were invited to apply for the funds between 4 February and 1 April 2016. We received nine applications.

Innovation Fund Denmark has made a scientific assessment of the applicants’ projects.

The projects, which Innovation Fund Denmark considered to be worthy of support, were sent to the reference group set up by the Danish Medicines Agency. The reference group then prioritised the research projects.

The reference group consisted of representatives appointed by relevant councils, organisations and associations with insight into matters related to possible adverse reactions from HPV vaccination.

The task of the reference group was to prioritise the research projects, which Innovation Fund Denmark considered to be worthy of support. The reference group recommended that the public funds should be allocated to the three applicants listed below.

The reference group recommended that the funds be allocated in a way, which ensures that research into possible adverse reactions from HPV vaccination can be conducted by several research groups in Denmark. It has been important to recommend various types of research projects in order to gain more knowledge about any possible adverse reactions from HPV vaccination. Consequently, the reference group recommended that funds are allocated to both register-based studies and studies that include patients experiencing possible adverse reactions from HPV vaccination.

The Danish Medicines Agency has decided to follow the recommendations of the reference group.

These three applicants will receive the public funds:

• Reimar Thomsen, Aarhus University Hospital, for a cohort study examining girls’ contact with the healthcare system, their prescription medication use as well as the occurrence of specific and non-specific diagnoses before and after HPV vaccination.
  The project will receive DKK 1,450,000.
• Jesper Mehlsen, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals, for a project examining biological and pathophysiological factors in girls/women experiencing symptoms suspected to be adverse reactions from HPV vaccination.
  The project will receive DKK 4,000,000.
• Anders Hviid, Statens Serum Institut, for a project comprising the development of case definitions for suspected adverse reactions from the vaccine based on healthcare seeking behaviour as well as register-based analyses of the relationship between HPV vaccination and suspected adverse reactions.
  The project will receive DKK 1,550,000.

Reference group members:

• Ib Valsborg, Chairman, appointed by the Danish Medicines Agency
• Bolette Søborg, appointed by the Danish Health Authority
• Michael Dupont, appointed by the Organisation of General Practitioners
• Morten Noreng, appointed by Danish Regions
• Erik Søgaard Andersen, appointed by the Organization of Danish Medical Societies
• Gert Almind, appointed by Danish Patients
• Trine W. Larsen, appointed by the Danish Association for the Disabled
• Karsten Viborg, appointed by the Danish Association for Persons Affected by Adverse Reactions from the HPV Vaccine