A Clare Government Senator is demanding a timeline for the introduction of a fee waiver for receiving the HPV vaccine under the Government’s ‘catch up programme’.
Minister of State at the Department of Children, Anne Rabbitte, had previously confirmed that there were provisions within Budget 2022 to scrap the €600 fee for those who wish to avail of the vaccine after they’ve previously been offered it.
However, when Clare FM contacted the Department of Health, they confirmed that only if the National Immunisation Advisory Committee found sufficient evidence to extend the programme to women up the age of 25, would a decision on the waiving of fees be made.
This morning the Oireachtas Health Committee will be discussing the HSE Service Plan for 2022 and Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway will be looking for clarity on the matter.
