Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1258. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence funding to expand the catch-up programme for HPV vaccination between the ages of 15 to 24 years, as recommended by the national immunisation advisory committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28244/23]
View answerIn October 2021, my Department asked the NIAC to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine 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.
The NIAC submitted advices in relation to the HPV Vaccination Programme to my Department which stated that HPV catch-up vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated females and males under the age of 25 years. Second level students and females under the age of 25 years should be prioritised.
In line with the 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.
This programme offers free HPV vaccines to all boys and girls in second level education who were previously eligible to receive the HPV vaccine and who have not yet, for whatever reason, received it. In addition, young women, up to the age of 25, who have now left secondary school, and who did not receive the vaccine when at school, are eligible to receive the vaccine as part of the catch-up programme.
Eligible people can register on www.hpv.ie for an appointment for a free vaccine which will be administered through HSE vaccination clinics and schools.
