Brennan family advocates HPV vaccine catch-up programme

THE family of HPV vaccine advocate the late Laura Brennan have appealed for a catch-up programme for those who missed out on the vaccine, writes Jessica Quinn.

The family have made an urgent appeal to the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) for such an initiative to be put in place.

The State’s HPV vaccine programme has not been administered in schools as usual for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Brennan family feel “the time is now right” to welcome vaccination teams back to the school setting.

On HPV Awareness Day this month Laura’s brother Kevin on behalf of the family urged NIAC to roll out a programme that would allow teenagers who could not get the jab in their first years because of Covid to receive the vaccine.

In a social media post he pointed out that the catch-up programme is available in the UK and Australia free of charge.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly recently confirmed in the Dáil that NIAC is considering the effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in first year but who did not receive it; and also to women up to 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.

The Brennans have also acknowledged the “positive responses” to a recent appeal issued to every secondary school in the country to welcome HPV vaccine clinics back to school campuses.

In a letter sent to all schools, the family point out that prior to Covid-19 the take up of the HPV vaccine reached 82% nationally, however during the pandemic that figure dropped.

“These figures were going a long way to the elimination of cancers associated with the HPV virus,” the letter stated.

“This was brought about by the assistance of school principals, teachers and boards of management by allowing the vaccination teams within schools.

“Unfortunately, since Covid-19 a number of schools have restricted access of vaccination teams which has coincided with a dip in the national uptake rate of the HPV vaccine.

“We understand from a school’s perspective, the past two years have been incredibly challenging and allowing outside personnel on campus during the pandemic was wrought with challenge and nervousness.

“However, given the current climate and the recent easing of restrictions we feel strongly that the time is now right to welcome back vaccination teams back to the school setting.”

The letter outlines that international research clearly shows the benefits of school based vaccination clinics.

“For vaccination teams, it is possible to reach a large number of students in a short period of time. For parents they do not require transport or the need to take time off work when vaccinations are based in schools. These barriers are particularly pronounced for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Every year in Ireland about 300 people get cervical cancer and 90 women die from it. In women aged 25 – 39 years, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death. HPV also causes other cancers in men and women.

“The most recent study on the vaccine from King’s College London revealed the HPV vaccine reduced cervical cancer rates by 87% in women who were offered the jab between the ages of 12 – 13.

“A strong uptake of the HPV vaccine along with cervical screening makes the prospect of eliminating cervical cancer in Ireland a realistic and achievable goal we can all trust in and work towards.”

The family are urging schools to review their current positions and see if they are in a position to welcome vaccination teams back.