The HPV vaccination programme commenced in twenty one secondary schools in May 2010. The vaccination schedule requires that three doses of the vaccine be provided at intervals over a period of six months. From this initial phase 1,581 first year girls were eligible for the free vaccination of which 1,299 received the vaccine. This gives an uptake rate of 82% for the first dose. In July, of those 1,299 girls due a second dose of the vaccine 1,036 received it or 80%. Those girls who were unable to receive their second dose of vaccine in July were offered this when the schools programme continued in September. The third dose is being given this month, as per the vaccination schedule to those girls who received the second dose.
The second and main phase of the HPV vaccination programme has been underway in 575 schools since September. HPV vaccine has been offered to approximately 58,000 girls, covering those in second year and those who entered first year this year. All 32 local health areas have completed the first dose of HPV vaccinations in all 575 secondary schools. Preliminary figures show that 46,783 girls have received HPV vaccine since September. This provides an uptake rate of over 80%.
The HSE is also making arrangements to offer appointments for those girls who were unable to be vaccinated at the initial school visit due to being absent, unwell or did not have the consent form completed, to attend clinics in local HSE health centres.
The programme will continue annually with vaccine being offered to all girls in first year in secondary school each year.
