The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has launched a review of the HPV vaccine that protects against cancers caused by the HPV virus to see if it is linked to two rare side effects.

The two conditions — complex regional pain and POTS — aren't listed as possible side effects on product information, but have been reported after women received the vaccine.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition affecting the limbs, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) occurs when the heart rate increases abnormally after sitting or standing, and causes symptoms such as dizziness and fainting.

"These vaccines have been used in around 72 million people worldwide and their use is expected to prevent many cases of cervical cancer (cancer of the neck of the womb) and various other cancers and conditions caused by HPV," says the EMA.

The agency doesn't question the effectiveness of the vaccine, but wants to clarify the frequency of the two side effects.

"Both conditions can occur in non-vaccinated individuals and it is considered important to further review if the number of cases reported with HPV vaccine is greater than would be expected.

"While the review is ongoing there is no change in recommendations for the use of the vaccine," the EMA said.