The brother of the late Laura Brennan is calling for vaccination teams to be welcomed into schools again to counter a dip in the uptake of the HPV jab.
It comes as the Department of Health has confirmed that they are awaiting a decision from NIAC, before the HPV vaccination programme can be extended beyond it’s current remit.
The Department of Health says it’s asked NIAC to consider the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to students who missed the vaccine in first year and to women up to the age of 25 who’ve left school and didn’t receive the shot.
Responding to a query from Clare FM, the Department also clarified that waiving the €600 fee for those outside of the current HPV programme, would only be looked after NIAC confirms that there’s enough evidence to extend the current target age group.
It went on to say that a cost-effectiveness assessment would also have to be undertaken by HIQA.
This is in contrast to a recent commitment by Minister Anne Rabbitte, in response to a question by Senator Martin Conway, that there would be provisions in the Budget to waive the fee for those wishing to access the vaccine catch-up programme.
Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard, who herself received treatment for pre-cancerous cells caused by the HPV virus, says she can’t understand the lack of joined-up thinking regarding the roll-out of the vaccine.
The family of the late Laura Brennan are disappointed by the latest drop in the uptake of the HPV vaccine.
The current recorded uptake rate for the first dose of the HPV vaccine, in the 2020/2021 academic year, is 73%.
Kevin Brennan says the shift to off-site vaccination clinics during the pandemic acted as a barrier for many.
