The more young people vaccinated - both boys and girls - the better we can control the spread of the infection.

Since 2010, the HPV vaccine has been offered to girls in their first year of secondary school. This is because the most common cancer caused by the HPV virus is cervical cancer which only affects women.

In September 2019, boys in first year of secondary school, were also offered the HPV vaccine . This is because HPV can cause throat, anal and penile cancers and genital warts in boys too.

Previously a HPV catch up called the Laura Brennan catch up was offered, this programme closed on the 31st of December 2023 This HPV Catch-Up Campaign continues the legacy of Laura Brennan, whose advocacy helped transform HPV vaccine uptake in Ireland.

HPV infection can also cause genital warts in both girls and boys.

Read more about the cancers caused by HPV that can affect boys.

Since 2023 The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) have updated their advice about the number of HPV vaccines that young people need to receive.

People with healthy immune systems only need one dose of HPV vaccine.

More information can be found in The National Immunisation Guidelines Chapter 10 HPV, page 8. (you will be directed to the HIQA website)

The NIAC recommend 3 doses of the HPV vaccine for people who are significantly immunocompromised due to the following :

• having medical conditions such as HIV infection, haematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant recipients, malignant haematological disorders affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic systems, non-haematological malignant solid tumours, or primary immunodeficiency)
• Taking certain medications that really reduce the strength of their immune system

The parents/legal guardian/child should be advised to speak with their specialist doctor/consultant to discuss whether the child will need one or three doses of HPV vaccine because they have a weak immune system, particularly if they are on certain medications.

On the day of vaccination, the vaccination team will add the vaccine details to the child’s immunisation passport. The team will need to remind the child/parent/legal guardians/to bring their immunisation passport to the vaccination clinic, The vaccine team will give the immunisation passport back to the child so they can bring it home.

Post vaccination, the vaccination team will provide the child with the HSE HPV vaccine post-vaccination advice.

Since being licensed after 8 years of development the HPV vaccine has been studied for 19 years. Research to date has shown that the HPV vaccine protection does not weaken over time.

For more information please see the Healthcare worker FAQ’s