Healthy uptake of cancer vaccinations in Dublin West

NEW statistics from the HSE that show the rate of cervical cancer vaccinations among first year students in secondary schools in Dublin West stands at over 80 per cent have been welcomed.

The HPV vaccination programme, designed to detect early signs of the cancer, has been running in Irish secondary schools for three years, with 42,000 girls benefitting from it nationwide last year.

In Dublin West a total of 761 girls received the three vaccine doses in the 2012/13 academic year, a figure that Tánaiste and local TD, Joan Burton says compares favourably to uptake rates in other countries.

“I am glad it has been so well received in the Dublin West area because it goes a long way towards ensuring our young girls are effectively immunised against the causes of cervical cancer,

? she said.

“While we don’t have any comprehensive data in Ireland yet as to the effectiveness of the HPV programme, we do know that in Denmark, where it has been widely used since 2007, there has been a 50 per cent reduction in pre-cancers, which are required to develop cervical cancer.

?

Next year only two doses will be required under the vaccination programme as new data has shown it’s just as effective as three. A Meningococcal C (Men C) booster is also being introduced for first year boys and girls.

The booster is recommended because immunity from the vaccine routinely given to babies can wane over time, and it provides additional protection.

“The high uptake rate in the area is a testament to the hard work of the HSE immunisation teams, staff in schools and local parents and they should be thanked for their co-operation in ensuring the smooth delivery of this programme,

? the Tánaiste continued.

“In the meantime, I would encourage even more parents in the locality to make sure their children are protected against serious illnesses by allowing them to go forward for these critically important vaccines.”