David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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2082. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to continue and extend the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19164/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Laura Brennan Catch-up programme ran from December 2022 to December 2023. Increasing vaccination uptake rates in the routine HPV vaccination programme is vital in order for Ireland to achieve elimination of cervical cancer by its target date of 2040. The World Health Organisation has set a target for all countries to ensure that 90% of girls are vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15 years.

The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are recommended 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 a preventative measure, 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.

In 2025, the HSE will run a pilot programme which will focus on improving the HPV vaccination rates among underserved communities, including Traveller, Roma and migrant groups living in Ireland. The pilot will provide access to targeted information and support that facilitates these groups to make an informed choice in relation to vaccination.