Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. A lot of work is ongoing in the Department and across government on a communications plan. We have a very strong record of vaccinations in Ireland. We will roll out a comprehensive plan. It is about listening to people's concerns and taking them seriously. It is also about providing the medical and scientific experts to engage with people and address their concerns.

Ireland has a very good track record. I refer the Deputy to the roll-out of the HPV vaccine, which will save many lives. Ireland had an uptake of 80% of that vaccine. The anti-vaccine movement then rolled into town across Europe and uptake of that vaccine, based largely on misinformation, fell from 80% to 50%. I am delighted that thanks to an enormous effort across Ireland and some notable advocacy, uptake of the HPV vaccine has increased again from 50% to 80%. This will save an awful lot of lives.

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