Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will speak in favour of this motion. The human papilloma virus, HPV, causes cervical cancer and a vaccine to prevent such a cancer is welcome. HPV is sexually transmitted and, therefore, it makes absolute sense that both boys and girls should be vaccinated against this virus. This would have two effects. First, it would reduce the transmission of the virus; and, second, it would reduce male associated cancers, which are cancers of the rectum, the genitalia, but also head and neck cancers. The incidence of these are increasing dramatically and often are associated with HPV. For those reasons, it is very important that the vaccine is delivered to both boys and girls.

The vaccine will not prevent all cancers. It is an important message that not all cervical cancers are related to HPV and it is important that women continue to attend for cervical screening and have cervical smears to pick up cancer.

Cancer of the cervix is slow-growing. There is a cancer prevention programme for those between the ages of 25 and 60 years. It is very important that, even though they are vaccinated against the virus, girls should continue to attend for cervical smear tests because not all cancers are prevented by this vaccine. The reason is that not all cancers are virus-related and not all sub-groups of the virus are contained within the vaccine. We must be careful that we do not give people a false sense of security.

There have been reports of side effects or, more accurately, adverse reactions or possible adverse reactions to the virus. They are real and, as Deputy Clare Daly said, we must have a programme to give people compensation if they are deemed to have these very rare side effects. We should not dismiss that out of hand. There is no such thing as never and there is no such thing as always in medicine. We must be vigilant that the vaccine could be related to serious adverse reactions. That said, the HPRA, NIAC and the WHO have cleared this vaccine and we have to accept that. Nevertheless, we do need to monitor any potential side effects.

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