Written answers
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Department of Health
Vaccination Programme
5:00 pm
Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the cervical cancer vaccine will require joint parental consent; and if not, if he will explain the way this can be, in view of the Health Service Executive guidelines on obtaining consent for non-emergency treatment and services for young persons under 18 years. [14033/11]
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The consent form for the administration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) cervical cancer vaccine was developed in line with
consent forms used in previous vaccination campaigns the meningococcal C vaccine campaign in 2000, the MMR catch up campaign in 2009 and the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination programme in 2009/2010
guidance on consent issues as per the HSE Quality and Risk department as published in Chapter 6 of the Practical Guide to Immunisation 2008
the guide to professional conduct and ethics for registered medical practitioners 7th edition 2009 published by the Medical Council
consultation with the Data Protection Commissioner
consultation with the National Adult Literacy Agency
In line with custom and practice in previous immunisation campaigns consent is only required from one parent.
Cathal Garvey
Posted on 11 Jun 2011 10:09 pm (Report this comment)
Although asked directly to explain why joint parental consent was not required for the cervical cancer vaccine, in view of the Health Service Executive guidelines on obtaining consent for non-emergency treatment and services for young persons under 18 years (http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/Childre...) Minister Reilly did not give a reason but simply stated that "In line with custom and practice in previous immunisation campaigns consent is only required from one parent" referring to various documents that pre-date these guidelines.
However, the custom and practice is actually illegal as guardians act jointly in accordance with http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1964/en/act/pub/0007/sec0006..... This legislation is ignored by the HSE despite the above mentioned guidelines.