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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

HPV catch-up vaccination programme

Summary

Deputy O'Gorman asked when the promised HPV catch-up programme for under-25s will start. The Taoiseach said progress has been made, would check with the Health Minister, and would ask for a reply.

Has the Government abandoned its commitment to run a catch-up HPV vaccination programme just when we need it most? The programme for Government pledges to extend the Laura Brennan HPV catch-up vaccination programme to anyone under the age of 25 who missed the original vaccination. I have been in touch with both the Department of Health and the HSE to find out when the new programme will run. No one has been able to give me a straight answer. They tell me how important the HPV vaccine is. I agree. They tell me they are going to run a distinct programme for minority groups. That is brilliant. However, no one can tell me when the Laura Brennan programme will run again. I am worried that they have decided not to do it and more importantly, the Irish Cancer Society is concerned that this scheme is not going to run again. We have good HPV vaccination rates in the country but they have been dropping since 2019. It is estimated that about 16,000 kids do not get it each year now. That is why we need this programme. Is it going to run again?

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Deputy, please stick to your time. I call the Taoiseach.

Comment on this

We have made significant progress in terms of the HPV vaccine. I will check with the Minister for Health in respect of the catch-up programme. I will ask the Minister to revert back to the Deputy in respect of it. It is a fair question to raise and I will follow it up.

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