Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018

Thursday, 12 July 2018

Ceisteanna (367, 484)

John Curran

Ceist:

367. Deputy John Curran 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. [31780/18]

Pat Deering

Ceist:

484. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 277 of 3 July 2018, when he expects this to take place; and when the vaccine will be made available to teenage boys [32244/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 484 together.

The current school immunisation programme offers HPV vaccination to all girls in their first year of second-level education. The Health Information and Quality Authority is currently undertaking a health technology assessment (HTA) on extending the school immunisation programme to include HPV vaccination to boys. This HTA will establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of providing HPV vaccination to boys and any decision will be informed by the evidence contained in the HTA which is expected in Q4 2018.  I have previously indicated that, subject to a favourable recommendation from the HTA, I will seek to extend this vaccine universally as a priority.