'Laura Brennan HPV Catch-Up Programme' to host Waterford clinic this week

The HSE/South East Community Healthcare, as part of the “Laura Brennan HPV Catch-Up Programme”, is holding a clinic (by appointment) in Waterford for some people aged 16 or older who did not yet get the papillomaviruses (HPV) vaccine, this Friday, April 7.

Eligible people can register on www.hpv.ie for an appointment for a free vaccine, offered as part of the Laura Brennan Catch Up Programme – an initiative 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.

A Clinic will be taking place in Waterford on Friday 7th of April (Good Friday) from 9am to 12.30pm the Clinic Rooms in the HSE Community Care Services Centre, Cork Rd., Waterford X91 VX09

The 1st year of secondary school immunisation programme will continue as normal throughout 2023. Free HPV vaccines will also 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.

Relaying further detail and encouraging support across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford for the programme, Dr. Kathleen O’ Sullivan (Principal Medical Officer, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) says:

“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 and cancers prevented.“

“If you are under 16 and want to get the HPV vaccine, you do not need to do anything for now. You will get vaccinated free of charge through your school or a HSE clinic in 2023.” 

You can book a free HPV vaccine catch-up appointment if you are:

·         A female age 16 to 24 years

·         A male age 16 or older who started 1st year of secondary school, home-school or a special school between 2019 and 2021.

This programme is available for those aged under 25 years who were previously eligible but have not received the HPV vaccine yet. Eligible people can register on www.hpv.ie for an appointment for a free vaccine.

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 one 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.

See also https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/ immunisation/pubinfo/ schoolprog/hpv/hpv-vaccine- catch-up-programme/