London, October 4 (ANI): A leading expert who helped develop the cervical cancer vaccine has claimed that the jab may be more deadly than the disease.

Dr Diane Harper, the University of Missouri-Kansas, warned the vaccine was being “over-marketed” and the information about its potential side effects was not as popular.

The researcher, who was involved in the clinical trials of the controversial drug Cervarix, said though the risks, “small but real”, could be worse than the risk of developing cancer itself.

“All this jab will do is prevent girls getting some abnormalities associated with cervical cancer which can be treated. It will not decrease cervical cancer rates at all,” the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

“Parents need to know this and that in a small number of cases there are serious side effects,” she added.

GlaxoSmith-Kline, which makes Cervarix, said: “The vaccine has been thoroughly tested. Over 1.4million doses have been administered and it is estimated will save up to 400 lives a year.”

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “The coroner is absolutely clear that the vaccine did not cause Natalie’s death. I strongly urge all girls to have the vaccine when they are offered it. It has an excellent safety record.” (ANI)