Dr. Brenda Corcoran:

I am representing the HSE national immunisation office, which is responsible for the co-ordination of all publicly funded immunisation programmes. We are responsible for training and communication materials for health professionals and the general public.

The HPV vaccine is one of three different vaccines given to first year students in second level schools. The HPV vaccination programme commenced in 2010, using the Gardasil vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, which was awarded the contract after a competitive tender. All vaccines used by the HSE are on the recommendation of NIAC and are licensed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the European Medicines Agency.

The programme is delivered in schools because there is international and national evidence that better uptakes are achieved. We have regular engagement with the Department of Education and Skills and school management bodies to ensure the smooth running of the programmes. The World Health Organization promotes school vaccination programmes and other countries with successful HPV vaccination programmes such as the UK and Australia do so through school-based programmes.

Our programme started initially for girls in first year in 21 second-level schools in May 2010. This allowed us to ask parents if they were happy with the content of the information materials they received and over 95% were. The vaccination programme was fully rolled out in September 2010 for all girls in first and second year. The following year a catch-up programme started for all girls in sixth year. Since that concluded at the end of 2013-14, the routine programme has continued for all first year girls.

Initially, girls required three doses of HPV vaccine at zero, two and six months to be fully vaccinated. This changed to a two-dose schedule in 2014 as new scientific evidence showed that two doses at zero and six months gives the same protection.

The target uptake is 80% for a completed course of vaccine in first year girls. The programme has achieved the target uptake every year since it started with the most recent figure of 84%. Over 95% of girls who start the vaccine course complete the required number of doses, which is a great credit to the dedication of the HSE school vaccination teams.

The HSE is committed to providing accurate information for parents about all the diseases, the vaccines to prevent them and side effects from those vaccines to allow them to choose whether to give consent to vaccination. All the information provided to parents about vaccination is prepared from the available licensed documentation for each vaccine - the summary of product characteristics and patient information leaflet. The information is presented in clear simple language and approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency so that it can be understood by all. The language is in line with the HIQA guidance entitled Communicating in Plain English, published in July of this year.

Prior to all school immunisations, parents receive an information pack in a sealed package with an information leaflet, consent form and cover letter. All the information booklets, including that for the HPV vaccine, include information on the most common, quite common, rare and very rare adverse events that can occur after vaccination. The information booklet does not include conditions that are not known side effects of the vaccine.

Each information leaflet also refers parents to the national immunisation website, where additional information including the licensed documentation can be found. Information leaflets for the very successful UK and Australian HPV vaccination programmes contain less information than ours on side effects and also refer parents to websites for further information. Our website has been accredited by the World Health Organization as providing good credible information. The website allows members of the public to contact us to ask questions if they require further information.

Parents are also given contact details for their local immunisation office and advised to speak to a member of the school team if they have any further questions. The information materials for all school vaccines are reviewed annually and the website content is constantly updated.

The HSE acknowledges concerns from parents about the level of information they receive about HPV vaccine and will take these on board to ensure parents receive as much accurate, credible information as possible to allow them to choose this life-saving vaccine for their daughters.