Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has welcomed the latest developments in the United States of America on extending the HPV vaccine to men and women up to the age of 45 and has called on the HPRA and the Minister for Health to consider a similar programme here.
Deputy Kelly said:
“Last week, the FDA in the United States approved extending the administration of the HPV vaccine to women and men up the age of HPV.
“This is an extremely welcome and necessary extension and one the Health Products Regulatory Authority and Minister Simon Harris should consider implementing here in Ireland.
“In the wake of the Cervical Check scandal, I have heard from so many women in their mid to late twenties and early thirties who have never received the HPV vaccine, as they weren’t in secondary school when the HPV vaccine was introduced in our schools in 2010. Extending the vaccine to this cohort would certainly put the minds of many young women who are anxious about this issue at ease.
“HPV is associated with 99% of all cervical cancers. Fortunately the HPV vaccine protects against the four strains of the virus which are implicated in most cases of cervical cancer.
“Earlier this year the Scally Report indicated how we can ensure there will be no more scenarios like the Cervical Check scandal, extending the age limit of the HPV vaccine would go a long way to reassuring women.”