Criminal complaint filed against Canan Karatay over HPV vaccine remarks

A criminal complaint has been filed against Cardiovascular Specialist Prof. Dr. Canan Karatay due to her statements regarding the HPV vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer.

Karatay had criticized the HPV vaccine by saying, "It didn't exist in our time," and argued that the vaccine should absolutely not be administered. Karatay had specifically claimed that the HPV vaccine administered to young girls causes paralysis.

Following these statements, which drew significant backlash from experts and citizens, the Association of Children and Women First (Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği) filed a criminal complaint against Canan Karatay. In a statement made via their social media accounts, the association stated, "In addition to an average of 300 femicides each year, approximately 1,250 women lose their lives to HPV-related cancers. We have filed a criminal complaint against Canan Karatay, who threatens public health with her statements regarding the HPV vaccine, one of the most meaningful gains of the women's struggle."

Karatay's statements were evaluated as dangerous in terms of women's health and general public health, which led to the filing of the criminal complaint. The judicial process regarding the matter will continue.

Her yıl ort. 300 kadın cinayetinin üstüne yaklaşık 1250 kadın HPV kaynaklı kanserlerden yaşamını yitiriyor. Kadın mücadelesinin en anlamlı kazanımlarından HPV aşısına dair açıklamalarıyla halk sağlığını tehdit eden Canan Karatay hakkında suç duyurusunda bulunduk.@MujdeTozbeyy… pic.twitter.com/5qrj8sC7mp

— Önce Çocuklar ve Kadınlar Derneği (@oncecocukkadin) January 3, 2024