Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to see this motion before the House and I compliment Deputy Kelly. Each year in Ireland more than 6,500 women need hospital treatment for pre-cancer of the cervix. Some 300 women get cervical cancer, and ultimately 90 women die from it each year. Cervical cancer is caused by the HPV and we must trust the full spectrum of Irish health professionals, the World Health Organization, WHO, the Irish Cancer Society, the Chief Medical Officer and the general medical advice which confirms that the HPV vaccine can be used and can save lives.

It is clear however, that there is unease about the potential side effects among many parents of girls who are due to receive the vaccine, notwithstanding the absence of any clinical proof of such an impact. That unease needs to be addressed to save lives. Just this evening I spoke with a mum from Ballyjamesduff. Her daughter received the vaccine and she claims that her daughter has acquired chronic fatigue syndrome as a result. If we are serious about saving lives, it is most important that the Minister, the Minister of State and their Department engage in a sympathetic and conciliatory way with those parents who feel that they did not get the correct information at the time, or that they were in some way uninformed about the vaccinations their daughters were about to receive.

Countries with high rates of uptake of the vaccine have seen the greatest impact. In Scotland, 90% of girls have been vaccinated since 2008. In Australia, where the vaccine was first introduced in 2007, the vaccine has prevented one in every two new cervical cancers. There has been a 90% fall in HPV infections in vaccinated girls, even better results than were anticipated. Information, and lots of it, along with less misinformation, will be critical if we are serious about ensuring that the girls of the future continue to get this vaccination. I know there is a lot of work to be done in terms of catching up because we have seen a fall-off in uptake. Coincidentally, the mum that I spoke to tonight talked about boys. I know Deputy Kelly raised that point in his initial address and vaccination should be made available to boys. That will also be critical in moving this matter forward

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