A Japanese doctor who has stood up to a campaign of misinformation around a common anti-cancer vaccine has won a prestigious prize for championing evidence in the face of hostility and personal threats.

Riko Muranaka at Kyoto University was awarded the 2017 John Maddox prize on Thursday for her efforts to explain the safety of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine amid strong opposition from anti-vaccine activists and a small group of academics.

Muranaka was praised by colleagues for her courage and leadership as she endured insults, litigation and attempts to undermine her professional status as the HPV vaccine came under attack in Japan. While the jab is used without fuss in many countries, in Japan and some other nations, fears raised by campaigners have hit vaccine uptake rates.
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Muranaka began writing about the vaccine after Japanese TV stations and other national media carried unconfirmed reports of immunised children experiencing pain, walking problems, seizures and other neurological issues. Some parents posted videos of their children online, claiming their symptoms were caused by the HPV jab. Despite its own health ministry finding no evidence that the vaccine was to blame, the Japanese government suspended proactive recommendations for the jab in 2013.

Uncritical media coverage and the government’s stance spread concern over the jab’s safety and vaccination rates in Japan have crashed from more than 70% to less than 1% in recent years. The situation was compounded by a small number of doctors proposing a new condition, namely HPV vaccination-associated neuro-immunopathic syndrome, or HANS, based on patients’ complaints. The Japanese government committee to review vaccine reactions has concluded that the symptoms are probably psychosomatic.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/30/doctor-wins-2017-john-maddox-prize-countering-hpv-vaccine-misinformation-riko-muranaka

The John Maddox Prize recognises the work of individuals who promote sound science and evidence on a matter of public interest, facing difficulty or hostility in doing so.

Sir John Maddox, whose name this prize commemorates, was a passionate and tireless champion and defender of science, engaging with difficult debates and inspiring others to do the same. As a writer and editor, he changed attitudes and perceptions, and strove for better understanding and appreciation of science throughout his long working life.

The prize is a joint initiative of Nature, where Sir John was editor for 22 years; the Kohn Foundation, whose founder Sir Ralph Kohn was a personal friend of Sir John’s, particularly through their Fellowship of the Royal Society; and Sense about Science, where Sir John served as a trustee until his death in 2009.

http://senseaboutscience.org/activities/the-john-maddox-prize/