Ciara Conway
Question:690. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the HPV vaccine to schoolboys here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4182/13]
View answerTuesday, 29 January 2013
Questions (690, 728)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:728. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the HPV vaccine to Irish schoolboys in the same way as they are being offered this vaccine free in other countries to help prevent passing on the HPV virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4397/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 690 and 728 together.
International studies and scientific assessments suggest that the best way to prevent most disease due to HPV is to vaccinate as many girls and women as possible. Routine vaccination is not recommended for boys. According to research carried out by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the burden of disease associated with HPV 16/18 in males is small, as it is related to some anogenital and head and neck cancers and the efficacy of vaccines for the prevention of these relatively rare cancers is not yet known. Following an evaluation of the HPV vaccine in the Irish context, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee recommended that all girls of 12 years of age should be offered HPV vaccination.