Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2025
828. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will commit to reinstating the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme; if her Department has considered this proposal; the steps her Department has taken to advance it, if any; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6322/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative, it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage and protection. It is vital that, moving forward, the importance of receiving HPV vaccination when it is offered through the routine HPV vaccination programme is communicated effectively to the population and that there is no confusion over the optimum time to receive the vaccine.
With the aim of moving towards cervical cancer elimination in the coming years, it is important to focus on increasing vaccination uptake rates in the routine HPV vaccination programme. To eliminate cervical cancer, all countries must aim to ensure that 90% of girls are vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15 years.
The Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme commenced on 8 December 2022 with the opening of the HSE’s online registration portal for the programme. In 2023, the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme offered free HPV vaccines to: - females who are 24 years of age or younger
- males who are 21 years of age or younger
Approximately 11,000 people received HPV vaccination through this programme.
In 2025, the HSE will run a pilot programme which will aim to support Ireland’s effort to eliminate cervical cancer by improving the HPV vaccination rates among underserved communities, including Traveller, Roma and Migrant groups living in Ireland. The pilot will seek to address the need of underserved communities to access HPV vaccination in the community and to provide access to targeted information and support that facilitates them to make an informed choice in relation to vaccination. Learnings from this pilot will be evaluated and taken into consideration for the planning of any further roll-out.
The HSE and my Department continue to work together to review available options in relation to provision of HPV immunisation in the future.
