Following clarification with the Deputy, I can confirm that this question relates to those students who may have missed out on the HPV vaccine as a result of the closure of schools during the pandemic.
In relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HPV vaccination, any first-year students who were due to receive the HPV vaccine but did not receive it as a result of the impact of the pandemic have now been offered the vaccine.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that, in terms of a wider mop up programme, I have asked my officials to request the National Immunisation Advisory Committee 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. If the NIAC conclude that there is sufficient evidence to support providing the HPV vaccine to one or both groups, HIQA will undertake a cost-effectiveness assessment on that basis.