01/09/2014

Over 42,000 Girls Receive HPV Cervical Cancer Vaccine

More than 42,000 girls have been immunised as part of the HPC vacciniation campaign, according to the HSE.

The routine programme for first year girls during 2012/2013 has been well received with an uptake rate of 84% for the three vaccine doses, well above the target of 80% uptake rate.

In addition, a catch-up programme was introduced in 2011/2012 for all 6th year girls and the rate for completed vaccination courses for sixth year students was also very strong in with a 67% uptake, above the target of 60%.

Uptake rates have exceeded the targets set by the HSE year on year, according to Dr Kevin Kelleher, HSE Assistant National Director, Public Health and Child Health.

He said: "Staff involved in the programme are to be commended for this achievement and particularly for the impressive retention of girls in the programme, given that 97% of first year girls and 93% of sixth years who received a first dose of HPV vaccine completed the 3 dose schedule.

"These figures are better, or as good as many other countriesand are a great credit to the staff of the vaccination teams."

Most of the vaccinations were administered in schools by HSE immunisation teams, with some girls being invited to HSE clinics for their vaccine. The free vaccination programme involved the administration of 3 doses of HPV vaccine (Gardasil) scheduled at 0, 2 and 6 months.

The 2014/2015 school programme will provide routine HPV vaccination for all first year girls as the catch up programme was completed at the end of 2013/2014.

(CD/JP)

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