Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the age limit for cervical cancer vaccine; if it will be extended to other age groups; the way a person can register for the uptake of the vaccine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8807/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted mainly through sexual contact. For this reason and having regard to the reports by the Health Information and Quality Authority and from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and based on the best medical advice available to me that HPV vaccine does have the potential to play an important long term role in the prevention of cervical cancer I decided that a universal high uptake vaccination programme for young girls at the age of 13 or 14 every year for the foreseeable future should be introduced at this time.

Recently I requested the HSE to initiate a tendering process for the procurement of a HPV vaccine with a view to commencing a HPV vaccination programme for all girls in first year in secondary school and this process has now been completed. The programme can be delivered, commencing this year, from the extra resources committed in this year's budget to the overall Cancer Programme. It is not intended to provide vaccination outside of this programme and details of the full programme will be announced by the HSE in the near future. It will not be necessary for people to register for the programme as all girls in first year will be offered the vaccination through their school.