Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1212 to 1214, inclusive, together.

The Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme commenced on 8 December 2022 with the opening of the HSE’s online registration portal for the programme.

In 2023, the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme offered free HPV vaccines to:

• females who are 24 years of age or younger

• males who are 21 years of age or younger

In relation to any extension, I can confirm that the HSE and the Department are working together to review available options in relation to the programme. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the programme activity in 2023.

With the aim of moving towards cervical cancer elimination in the coming years, it will be important to focus on increasing vaccination uptake rates in the routine HPV vaccination programme. As you will be aware the ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases.

As the HPV vaccine is preventative, it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage and protection. It is vital that, moving forward, the importance of receiving HPV vaccination when it is offered through the routine HPV vaccination programme is communicated effectively to the population and that there is no confusion over the optimum time to receive the vaccine.

In relation to vaccination uptake rates published by the HPSC, it should be noted that data are subject to ongoing review, validation and update.

The HSE National Immunisation Oversight Committee (NIOC) meets quarterly to discuss immunisation challenges and to agree actions. There is a particular focus on vaccine uptakes rates and what actions are currently being undertaken to increase uptake rates across programmes.

A HSE Taskforce has been set up in response to the declining immunisation rates. Through analysis of available data and intelligence, it will provide evidence-based expert advice and guidance to increase uptake of recommended vaccine programmes to target coverage levels and reduce the risk of outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.