HSE HPV Catch-up – Still time to get secondary school Immunisations for Sligo/Leitrim/South Donegal/West Cavan students

The HSE is offering a further opportunity for students currently in 5th and 6th Year to receive the HPV vaccine, a highly effective cancer-preventing vaccine, free of charge through the School Immunisation Programme.

The Laura Brennan HPV vaccine schools catch-up programme is designed to offer a further vaccination opportunity to young people. Both male and female students are eligible for the catch-up programme if they missed their dose previously. Students identified as not having previously received the HPV vaccine and who would like to receive the vaccine this summer are invited to contact the HSE School Immunisation Office (SecondarySchoolImm.SLSD@hse.ie) so they can receive an appointment inviting them to attend one of the upcoming catch-up HPV vaccination clinics, scheduled throughout the summer and beyond.

The single-dose HPV vaccine helps protect against a range of HPV-related cancers. Students aged 16 and over can complete their own consent form. Parents/guardians will be asked to provide consent for young people aged 15 years and under. Further information on HPV is available at www.immunisation.ie

Dr Cathriona Walsh, HSE School Immunisation Lead, said, “We encourage all eligible students to take this opportunity to protect themselves against HPV-related cancers. The HPV virus is very common; around eight out of ten people (80%) will be infected with the virus at some point in their lives, and vaccination provides safe, effective, lifelong protection against a range of cancers, including cervical, throat, anal, penile and vulval cancers. Each year in Ireland, about 640 people are diagnosed with a HPV-associated cancer. The HPV vaccine works and is recommended for both males and females and is available free of charge. By making vaccination accessible through the HSE catch-up programme and at clinics, we are supporting young people and their families to make informed decisions that can have lasting health benefits.”

Parents of students identified as not having previously received the HPV vaccine will receive an email over the next few weeks containing further information, clinic dates and guidance on how to attend one of the catch-up clinics.

Clinics will take place in Sligo and Leitrim for those who may have missed getting their vaccines during the school year at the below times and dates: Forms will be available on the day.

5th June - Markievicz House, Barrack Street, Sligo, F91 XC84
19th June - Markievicz House Barrack Street, Sligo, F91 XC84
14th August - Markievicz House Barrack Street, Sligo, F91 XC84
21st August - Carrick Health centre Leitrim road, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, N41 XC59

Dr Íde Nic Dhonncha, Principal Medical Officer, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and West Cavan, added, "We are committed to ensuring that all students have the chance to benefit from this life-saving vaccine. It’s never too late to protect yourself from HPV-related cancers. The HPV vaccine has an excellent safety profile and is provided free of charge as part of the national immunisation programme.”

For further details or to secure an appointment, please contact the HPV Catch-Up Team at 071-9321089 or email SecondarySchoolImm.SLSD@hse.ie.