A physician in France has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in relation to the death of a schoolboy who collapsed and subsequently fell after receiving a vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) near Nantes in October 2023. The announcement was made by Antoine Leroy, the Public Prosecutor of Nantes, indicating that the medical error committed in this case was deemed to constitute the infraction of involuntary manslaughter.

The case began when a fifth-grade student from Saint-Dominique College in Saint-Herblain, located close to Nantes, experienced a fainting episode and a significant fall approximately 15 minutes after being vaccinated.

This incident resulted in a cranial injury, which was later identified as the cause of death.

Following the event, the student was hospitalized at the Nantes University Hospital (CHU de Nantes).

Despite medical efforts, the adolescent's condition deteriorated over the subsequent days, leading to his death.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Nantes prosecutor's office initiated an investigation for involuntary manslaughter.

An autopsy confirmed that the young boy's death was due to cranio-cerebral trauma.

The physician involved has been placed under judicial control, which includes restrictions against contacting others involved in the case, as stipulated by the investigation.

This incident has raised concerns and prompted discussions around vaccine safety and protocols, particularly regarding vaccinations administered to adolescents.