Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
125. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health when the National Immunisation Advisory Committee will examine the possibility of extending the HPV vaccine to men and women up to 45 years of age. [43581/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland which is comprised of experts from a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice. All relevant and appropriate information is taken into account when deciding to make changes to the State's immunisation programmes. NIAC submits its recommendations to my Department for consideration.
As outlined in my response to the Deputy's previous parliamentary question regarding this issue (asked on Thursday 11 October), no recommendation has been received by my Department in relation to extending age ranges for the HPV vaccine. However, as per my previous response, I can confirm that officials from my Department are scheduled to bring the Deputy's query to the attention of NIAC at a meeting which is arranged to take place next week. On the basis of the foregoing, I am not currently in a position to advise as to when any potential recommendation will be made.
