Common human papillomavirus infection can lead to cervical, throat, anal, penile and vulval cancers
Students in their final two years of second-level education will soon be offered the HPV vaccine as part of a new phase of the catch-up programme designed to protect young people from HPV-caused cancers.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD and Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton have announced that the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme will target students in fifth and sixth year of post-primary school.
This programme is designed to offer a further vaccination opportunity to young people, both male and female, who may have missed earlier opportunities to receive the HPV vaccine. The programme will be delivered primarily through schools.
This programme continues the legacy of Laura Brennan whose advocacy transformed HPV vaccine uptake in Ireland. The 26-year-old from Ennis, Co Clare, died of cervical cancer caused by HPV in 2019.
Laura Brennan – the heroic advocate who transformed HPV vaccine uptake in Ireland
Ms Brennan used the final months and years of her life to counter misinformation around the vaccine. Uptake of the jab – which at the time was offered to first-year schoolgirls – fell to 51 per cent in 2017. However, through Ms Brennan’s efforts, uptake rose to 70 per cent two years later, and has remained at similar or higher levels since.
During this new phase of the catch-up programme, free HPV vaccines will be provided to students in fifth and sixth year of post-primary school between January and August 2026.
For children home-educated and born between September 1, 2006 and 31 August 2009 who did not receive the HPV vaccine in first year of post-primary school, the free HPV vaccine is still available.
Future phases of the programme will see the vaccine become available to students from second to fifth year in the 2026/2027 academic year.
The routine school-based immunisation programme, which now offers the HPV vaccine to both female and male first-year students in post-primary schools nationally, will continue as normal throughout 2026.
“The Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme that we are announcing today will offer a further opportunity for young people who have not previously received the HPV vaccine to come forward for this important vaccination,” said Minister Carroll MacNeill.
“Receiving the HPV vaccine during post-primary school is an important early measure in reducing the risk of cervical cancer later in life. Additionally, attending – when invited – for free regular cervical screening through the HSE’s Cervical Check programme between the ages of 25 and 65 offers further protection.
“I am grateful to Laura’s family, in particular her parents, Larry and Bernadette, who have transformed public understanding of the HPV vaccine. I am also grateful to the Irish Cancer Society for their ongoing engagement and advocacy.
“Increasing HPV vaccination coverage is a key step towards achieving cervical cancer elimination by 2040 and making cervical cancer a rare disease in Ireland in the coming years.”
Laura Brennan mother – Bernadette Brennan – welcomed the new phase in the catch-up programme.
“This extension of the programme will undoubtedly save more lives from HPV-related cancers,” she said.
“I strongly encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity to receive any missed or delayed HPV vaccinations. If you did not receive the HPV vaccine when first offered, you now have the chance to protect yourself through the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme.”
She added: “It is vitally important that both boys and girls receive the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccination offers safe and effective protection.
“HPV is a major cause of cancer in both women and men. It is vital that everyone gets vaccinated. The latest figures show that 641 people are diagnosed with HPV-related cancers in Ireland every year, and 196 people lose their lives — most of these cancers are preventable.
“As Laura so powerfully said, ‘This vaccine saves lives. It could have saved mine’.”
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