Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 June 2023
211. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the absolute number of people who have already taken up the Laura Brennan HPV vaccination catch-up programme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30066/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra212. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to ensure eligible people avail of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccination catch-up programme. [30067/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 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.
In line with NIAC's advice, I asked the HSE to facilitate and operationalise the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme.
The Programme commenced on 8 December 2022 with the opening of the HSE’s online registration portal for the programme. The Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme continues to be rolled out to eligible people across the country and offers an additional opportunity to join the free vaccination programme which continues until the end of 2023.
The catch-up programme offers HPV vaccination to:
• girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and
• women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.
In relation to HPV vaccine uptake rates, the National Immunisation Office have advised my Department that approximately 3,160 people have availed of HPV vaccination through the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme to date.
Nationally, the HSE has utilised video-on-demand, out-of-home social media, radio ads and media opportunities to raise awareness about the catch-up programme to date. Additional bursts of activity are planned until the programme completes at the end of December 2023.Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) are undertaking their own activities to raise awareness about local clinics, for example, they have supported awareness stands in 3rd level institutions, availed of local media opportunities, used social media and addressed queries from eligible people to raise awareness. The HSE is now working to reach harder to reach groups, for example, vaccination teams will offer the HPV vaccine to eligible people in prisons and special care units. CHOs are also working with education training boards to reach people who may have left education early.
The more young people who get vaccinated, and women who get routinely screened for cervical cancers, the better the spread of HPV infection can be controlled.
People should visit www.hpv.ie for information and to book an appointment in their local area.
