John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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444. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the fact that thousands of the 40,000 eligible schoolgirls are still not getting the HPV vaccine; his plans to increase the take up of the HPV vaccine among eligible schoolgirls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7356/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 90 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.

I am aware of claims of an association between 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. However, these claims have led to a significant drop in uptake rates of the HPV vaccine from 87% in 2014/15 to 72% in 2015/16 and 51% in 2016/17. Provisional figures from the HSE indicate that HPV vaccine uptake rates increased in September/October 2017 to 62% due to a comprehensive communications campaign for parents with support from a large number of key stakeholders.

One of the most important things we can do is to provide accurate and credible information to enable parents to take a fully informed decision concerning HPV vaccination. We know that HPV vaccine works and that many countries have seen significant decreases of pre-cancer of the cervix as a result of vaccination. The safety and effectiveness of the vaccine is endorsed by Irish and international scientific and medical institutions. The HSE launched their information campaign for HPV vaccination as part of the 2017/18 Schools Immunisation Programme on 30 August 2017. The Information campaign supports the HPV vaccination programme and provides information packs for parents which are scientifically accurate and endorsed by Irish and international bodies. In addition information is available for primary care facilities and pharmacies.

I would urge any parent who has doubts or questions about vaccination to engage with your family doctor, or alternatively to visit the HPV website – . These sources of information are clear and accurate and will answer any queries you may have. Parents of all eligible girls are strongly encouraged to access this information and ensure that their daughters receive this important cancer preventing vaccine.

As Minister for Health I fully support the HPV immunisation programme and its aim to increase uptake rates of this important lifesaving vaccine.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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445. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend the HPV vaccine to boys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7357/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice. All relevant and appropriate information is taken into account when deciding to make changes to the State's immunisation programmes.

NIAC has made a recommendation that the HPV vaccine should be given to boys. My Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to carry out a health technology assessment (HTA). Work has commenced on the HTA and is expected to be completed in 2018. Any decision to extend the current programme which offers HPV vaccination to all girls in their first year of second-level education to a programme that also offers vaccination to boys will be informed by the evidence contained in the HTA.