I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 279 together.
Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Gardasil is the HPV vaccine used in the HSE schools immunisation programme. The safety profile of Gardasil has been continuously monitored since it was first authorised. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the statutory regulatory authority for medicines in Ireland.
As part of its monitoring of the safety of medicines, the HPRA operates an adverse reaction reporting system, where healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse reactions they consider may be associated with their treatment, through the range of options in place for reporting. All reports received are evaluated and considered in the context of the safety profile of the product concerned, with reports followed up as necessary for further information, that may assist in the assessment of the case. The HPRA continues to monitor each vaccine and medicine during the life time of its license.
It is important to reassure people that anyone who is suffering ill health is eligible to seek medical attention, and to access appropriate health and social care services, irrespective of the cause of their symptoms. The individual nature of the needs of some children may require access to specialist services. The HSE are currently working to put in place a clinical care pathway appropriate to the medical needs of this group.
As questions being asked by the Deputy relate to data collated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, I have asked the Authority to respond directly.
