The HSE provides information for parents about diseases, the vaccines to prevent them and side effects to allow them to choose whether to give consent to vaccination. All vaccines provided by the HSE are based on the recommendation of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to protect the public from preventable diseases and are licensed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the European Medicines Agency.
All vaccination information provided to parents is prepared from the available licensed documentation for each vaccine, the Summary of Products Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet. The information is presented in clear simple language and approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency so that it can be understood by all adults as the average reading age in Ireland is 12 years of age.
Prior to all school immunisation parents receive an information pack in a sealed package which contains an information leaflet, consent form and cover letter. Information packs for all immunisation are standardised nationally. The information booklets include information on the most common adverse events that can occur after each vaccination. Parents are also given contact details for their local immunisation office and advised to speak to a member of the school immunisation team if they have any further questions.
Should parents require additional information about vaccines the immunisation leaflet refers to the HSE’s national immunisation website (www.immunisation.ie) where further information is available. The national immunisation website has been accredited by the World Health Organisation for credibility, content and good information practices. The website allows members of the public to contact the National Immunisation Office to ask a question if they require further information. These questions, when possible, are answered by the staff of the National Immunisation Office within one working day.
Parents of any girl with a suspected adverse reaction following vaccination are advised to contact the HSE vaccination teams or their general practitioner for advice and are referred for further management if required.
The safety of the HPV vaccine has been reviewed frequently by many international bodies including the European Medicines Agency, the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety of the World Health Organisation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US. These Committees have continually concluded that the HPV vaccine is safe.
