Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. Vaccines are one of the most successful health interventions of all time. They have saved thousands of lives in this country and have helped make diseases like polio and smallpox, which previously caused devastation to families and communities, largely a thing of the past.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and one woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes. Almost all of the cases of cervical cancer can be attributed to HPV infection.

HPV also causes other cancers.For example, approximately 60 men and women are diagnosed with HPV-associated cancers of the mouth and throat every year in Ireland in addition to other HPV-associated cancers.

Thankfully, the introduction of the HPV vaccine has had a significant impact in many parts of the world and countries with high vaccine uptake rates have seen the highest impact.

I will take on board the point about the cost of access. There are differences of opinion between the national immunisation advisory committee, NIAC, and the Senator. The Department of Health takes its guidance from the NIAC but I will bring the Senator's concerns to the Department of Health and to the Minister.