Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

601. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department is running any campaign to increase the number of HPV vaccines here; his views on the fact that approximately 50% of children are getting the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10152/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 100 die from the disease. All cervical cancers are linked to high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types. In 2009 the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended HPV vaccination for all 12 year old girls to reduce their risk of cervical cancer and in September 2010 the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of second level schools.

Although there is no scientific basis to recent claims about the vaccine, this has led to a reduction in uptake rate of the vaccine from a high of 87% in the 2014/2015 academic year to 72.3% in the 2015/2016 academic year. Figures released by the HSE indicate that the uptake rate for the current year may be even lower. The first round of the 2016/17 HPV vaccine schedule has been completed with preliminary uptake figures of 40-50% in all Community Health Organisations.

The focus for the HPV programme in 2017 is to counter misinformation in relation to the safety of the HPV vaccine, and to increase the uptake rate in girls as part of the schools immunisation programme.

In the spring of 2016, the HSE began consulting with stakeholders with an interest in HPV/cervical cancer to explore ways of tackling negative publicity and misinformation. The HSE and Irish Cancer Society (ICS) agreed to take a coordinated approach to correcting HPV vaccine misinformation. The HSE and ICS worked closely over the last few months to develop plans and schedule activities. As a result, a two pronged approach was agreed between the ICS and the HSE which has been implemented since before the start of the 2016/17 HSE vaccination programme in September. The HSE took a number of actions which included providing information to all school principals, management bodies and National Parents Councils, and meeting with the Department of Education and Skills and school management bodies.

The 2016/17 HSE vaccination programme started in September 2016 and parents of girls in first year of second level school were given an information leaflet, consent form and cover letter with contact phone numbers for their local immunisation office. Since then, the following actions have been taken:

- Inclusion of new section on HSE websites – 12 key facts about HPV vaccine which address specific issues raised by anti-vaccine groups

- Short information videos developed for HSE website.

- Articles written in publications for health care professionals

- HSE social media campaign underway

- Ongoing interviews for radio, TV, press and online

- Collaboration with ICGP in production of e-learning modules on HPV vaccine – now available on ICGP website

- Liaison with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union to promote HPV vaccine and articles written for their websites and publications

- HPV vaccine meeting held with health representatives of all parliamentary parties and interested public representatives in Dáil Éireann (arranged by the Irish Cancer Society and attended by the HSE)

- Presentation at the National Parents Council AGM on HPV vaccine safety

- Attendance at World Health Organization meeting with Danish Health authorities and international experts to discuss strategy to manage decline in HPV vaccine uptake

- Attendance at WHO HPV Prevention and Control Board meeting and seeking further information from partners in countries who have similar difficulties

- Presentation at the ICGP winter scientific meeting on HPV vaccine safety

- Ongoing training sessions across the country for HSE vaccination teams, GPs and practice nurses

- Ongoing liaison with the Irish Cancer Society, National Cancer Screening Programme, National Cancer Control Programme, the Marie Keating Foundation and the Irish Family Planning Association

- Ongoing liaison with the Department of Education and school management bodies.

Since November 2016, the following additional actions have been taken:

- Teleconferences with Principal Medical Officers ongoing to review programme and plan for 2nd round of immunisation and the 2017/18 campaign

- Meeting with Department of Education

- Ongoing meetings with key stakeholders including Royal College of Physicians Ireland and UK colleagues (no drop in uptake in Great Britain, possible drop in Northern Ireland border counties)

- Presentation at Faculty of Public Health Medicine Winter Scientific meeting on “HPV vaccine-separating fact from fiction”.

- Results of focus groups on HPV vaccine parents attitudes and experience led to changes to information materials and parental letters for 2nd round 2016/17 (to be sent to all parents to allow parents who wish to change their mind and consent to vaccination)

- Launch of HPV vaccine safety and effectiveness lesson for Transition Year Students as part of Science and Technology in Action.

- European Cervical Cancer Awareness week 23-27 January 2017

- Twitter hour on HPV vaccine 25 January 2017.

The following actions are planned or underway:

- Focus groups with parents

- Enhanced programme for administration for Dose 2 HPV vaccine

- Planning for 2017/18 HPV vaccination campaign

- Offer 1st dose of vaccine to those who refused it in March /April 2017 (as part of 2nd round)

- Implement comprehensive communications plan targeting those more likely to refuse vaccine and using results of social media analysis

- Meet with management bodies, parents’ councils and unions of primary and post primary schools

- Send revised information leaflet and consent form to parents of first year students

- Develop and send information to 6th class primary school parents

- Continue engagement with national and international stakeholders- Review information materials and plan for 2017/18.

I am aware of claims of an association between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young women. An illness that occurs around the time a vaccine is given and is already known to be common in adolescence does not imply the vaccine caused the problem. It appears that some girls first suffered symptoms around the time they received the HPV vaccine, and understandably some parents have connected the vaccine to their daughter’s condition. The HSE are currently working to put in place a clinical care pathway appropriate to the medical needs of this group. The parents of all eligible girls are strongly encouraged to ensure that their daughters receive this important cancer preventing vaccine.