Welcome for cervical vaccination plans
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
The Irish Cancer Society has welcomed the announcement that the HSE has been asked to prepare a vaccination programme against the virus which causes cervical cancer.
The Government has requested that the HSE prepare to introduce the programme for all 12-year-old girls from September next year.
However, the ICS said it was disappointed that there would not be a catch up programme for girls aged 13 to 15.
Speaking onRTÉ Radio's News At One, Minister for Health Mary Harney said such a catch up scheme could not be put in place at this stage because of budget restrictions.
The Minister said that this was due to the demands of other health programmes such as breast screening and colo-rectal screening.
Ms Harney said it was important that there is a high uptake among those eligible for the programme to be successful.
A vaccine for Human Papilloma Virus or HPV has been available for private patients since 2006.
It costs around €600 for the three doses required.
Women's health experts and the Minister for Health have emphasised the need for continuing use of smear tests to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.
- Six One News: Ruth McAvinia reports on the plans to vaccinate every 12-year-old girl in the country against cervical cancer next year
- One News: Cervical cancer vaccine available in 2009
- News At One: Mary Harney, Minister for Health, discusses the plans to vaccinate all 12-year-old girls against cervical cancer next year
