The Health Service Executive is widening the scope of the Laura Brennan HPV Catch-up Vaccination Programme to include more age groups. The expansion aims to provide a second chance for those who missed their initial opportunity to get vaccinated as part of the HSE School Immunisation Programme.
Programme Expansion
The programme will now be open to:
- All unvaccinated students from 2nd – 6th year in second level education.
- Unvaccinated males who have left second level education and are 21 years old or younger on the date of offer of vaccination.
- Unvaccinated females who have left second level education and are 24 years old or younger on the date of offer of vaccination.
These additions come on top of the existing provisions, which have been in place since 2010 for females and extended to males since 2019.
Health Implications of HPV
Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Public Health Medicine – National Immunisations Lead at the HSE National Immunisation Office, noted the vaccine’s importance, stating:
“The HPV vaccine has been offered to girls in first year in secondary school since 2010 because the most common cancer caused by the HPV virus is cervical cancer. However, the HPV virus can also cause other cancers and conditions that affect boys and men.”
According to Dr Jessop, HPV infections that persist can lead to cancers such as oropharyngeal, anal, and penile cancer in males. She encouraged people to make use of the opportunity as the vaccine is available for free through HSE vaccination clinics until the end of 2023.
Who Is Eligible?
The programme is not only open to students in mainstream education but also extends to unvaccinated international students who are ordinarily resident in Ireland, refugees, and applicants seeking protection who meet the age and gender criteria.
Conditions and Cancers Caused by HPV
In females, persistent HPV infection can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and oropharynx. In males, it can lead to cancers of the anus, oropharynx, and penis. Additionally, HPV infection can cause genital warts in both sexes.
How to Book an Appointment
Those interested in receiving the HPV vaccine can book an appointment through the dedicated website, www.hpv.ie.
Additional Information
An estimated 80% of sexually active people become infected with at least one type of HPV. However, the vaccine can still be beneficial for those who are sexually active, as it offers protection against nine types of HPV not already acquired.
To date, over 550,000 students have received the HPV vaccine through the HSE vaccination programme. The expansion aims to significantly increase this number, optimising the health and wellbeing of the community at large.
For more information and to book an appointment, visit www.hpv.ie.