Myth busting Can the HPV Vaccine lead to infertility?
The rumour that the HPV vaccine can lead to infertility has come about as a result of findings of animal studies investigating a chemical stabiliser used in the vaccine called polysorbate 80. In these studies scientists expose the animals (usually mice or rats) to high levels of polysorbate 80 over prolonged periods (most often daily or several times a week for months) to see how their bodies react. The results of studies clearly show that the three intermittent doses of the very low level of polysorbate 80 in the HPV vaccine is way below the level or time period showing toxic effect in animal studies. Medical experts suggest that the HPV vaccine actually protects fertility indirectly by preventing the need for treatments for cervical cancer, which can lead to cervical problems that then cause infertility.
