Some early clinics will be held in Cavan, Donegal and Sligo next week as part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme.

The programme is aimed at those aged 16 or older who did not get their  HPV vaccine yet.

Eligible people can register on www.hpv.ie  for an appointment for a free vaccine which will be administered through HSE vaccination clinics and schools (2023).

The programme is supported by Bernie and Larry Brennan, parents of the late Laura Brennan who campaigned for higher uptake of the HPV vaccine before her death from cervical cancer in 2019, aged 26.

The most common cancer caused by the HPV virus is cervical cancer – cancer of the neck of the womb. However, the HPV virus can cause other cancers and conditions that can affect boys, and since September 2019, boys have also been offered the HPV vaccine. The more young people vaccinated – both boys and girls – the better the spread of the infection can be controlled.

Free HPV vaccines will be offered to all boys and girls in second-level education who were previously eligible to receive the vaccine and who have not yet received it.

It is also open to young women up to the age of 25 who have left secondary school and did not previously receive the vaccine.

If you are under 16 and want to get the HPV vaccine, you do not need to do anything for now.

You will be able to get vaccinated through your school or a HSE clinic in 2023.

Over 500,000 people have already received the HPV vaccine through the HSE school vaccination programme.

Clinics will be held next week in Cavan, Donegal and Sligo at the following times and dates:

·       Tuesday December 20th The Vestry, Letterkenny: (9.15am – 3.50pm)

·       Tuesday December 20th Markievicz House, Sligo. (9.20am – 3.50pm)

·       Thursday December 22nd HSE Community Services Building, 1 Drumlin drive, Magheranue, Cootehill, Cavan. (9.30am – 3pm)

More clinics are being planned. If you cannot find an appoitment in your area now we will use media and social media to alert people when more opportunities are available to get vaccinated.

The programme embodies Laura’s message of vaccine promotion and will encourage and facilitate further uptake of this life-saving intervention.

The vaccine, which is proven to be safe and effective, protects against the types of HPV that cause 9 out of 10 cervical cancers.

The Laura Brennan HPV Vaccination Catch-Up Programme is open to those who have not received a HPV vaccine and are:

·       females who have completed second-level school and are 24 years of age or younger

·       females in 2nd – 6th year of secondary school

·       Males in 2nd to 4th year of secondary school (or 5th year if they have skipped transition year this school year).

The HPV vaccine will be delivered by HSE vaccinators and is available free of charge through HSE vaccination clinics and schools.

The 1st year school immunisation programme will continue as normal throughout 2023.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has recently advised that only one dose of HPV vaccine is required in those aged under 25. Most people will only need 1 dose of HPV vaccine. However, anyone with a weak immune system will require three doses.

Visit www.hpv.ie for information and to learn about the importance of HPV vaccine