Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1275. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the way that it is intended to monitor the HPV programme for effectiveness in view of the intention to move the HPV programme from a two-dose programme to a single dose programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63640/22]
View answer1276. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the HPV programme will be reviewed for clinical effectiveness in view of the intention to move the HPV programme from a two-dose programme to a single dose programme; if it is intended to return to a two-dose programme should this prove negative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63641/22]
View answer1278. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the way that the move of the HPV programme from a two-dose programme to a single dose programme may affect the target date for the elimination of cervical cancer in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63643/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1275, 1276 and 1278 together.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation.
The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has updated their advice about the number of HPV vaccine doses young people need to receive. The NIAC advise that people with healthy immune systems now only need one dose of HPV vaccine.
Recent scientific evidence did not show a big difference in the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in people with healthy immune systems, aged 9 to 24 years, who received one, two or three doses of the HPV vaccine.
My Department has asked the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to consider the clinical effectiveness of moving from a two dose to a one dose regimen. It is important to note that any surveillance programme needs to be operational for some time before data can be used to assess clinical effectiveness.
Ireland is committed to the global effort to virtually eliminate cervical cancer in the decades ahead and much progress is being made. In Ireland we are in a strong position to meet the global targets set by the World Health Organisation through developments in our HPV vaccination, cervical screening and cancer treatment services.
