Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
456. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with a group (details supplied); if he will provide details of the date and time of this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17283/16]
View answerI am aware of claims of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women.
It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition.
As you are aware in November 2015 the European Medicines Agency completed a detailed scientific review of the HPV vaccine which found no evidence of a link between the vaccine and the two conditions examined. On 12 January 2016 the European Commission endorsed the conclusion of the European Medicines Agency that there is no need to change the way HPV vaccines are used or to amend the product information.
However, this does not get away from the fact that these young women are unwell. I want to provide assurances that, as well as being eligible to seek medical attention and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms, the HSE will be in a position to facilitate access to specialist services as required due to the individual nature of the needs of some children.
As Minister I consider meeting any organisation that requests to do so. However due to busy parliamentary and other business it is not always possible to meet all representative groups. I have been informed that the HSE has met with members of REGRET concerning this issue and I will ask them for an update.
