Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
1251. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the extension of the national immunisation programme for HPV to boys in view of the fact that 39,000 men worldwide die of HPV-related cancer each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27596/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1252. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his Department is examining the positive impact a universal vaccination programme for HPV has had on countries such as the United States of America, Australia and Canada; if a health technology assessment on universal vaccination has been completed by HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27597/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1256. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out the HPV vaccine to boys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27602/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1251, 1252 and 1256 together.
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 comprising of experts in 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 has made a recommendation that the HPV vaccine should be given to boys. My Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to carry out a health technology assessment (HTA). The Board of HIQA approved the initiation of the HTA in March 2017 to examine the extension of the current HPV immunisation programme to include boys. Work has commenced and the target date for completion of the HTA, which will include a complex model to simulate disease transmission, is September 2018. Any decision concerning the extension of the programme will be informed by the results of the HTA.
