Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
517. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Health Information and Quality Authority to complete a health technology assessment on extending the school immunisation programme to include HPV vaccination for boys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37496/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 recommendations of which are informed by public health advice and international best practice. NIAC has recommended that the HPV vaccine should be given to boys.
Following from the above, my Department requested the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) in relation to extending the national immunisation schedule to include human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of boys, the purpose of which is to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of providing the vaccine to boys and will also provide advice on how it should be implemented. The decision to extend the current school immunisation programme (which is currently provided to all girls in their first year of second-level education) to boys will be informed by the evidence contained in the HTA. HIQA has just completed a public consultation on the draft HTA on its website (www.hiqa.ie). HIQA is expected to submit the final recommendation following its Board meeting in November.
I have indicated that, subject to a favourable recommendation from the HTA, the Government will seek to extend this vaccine universally as a priority.
