HPV School Catch Up Programme
A catch-up HPV vaccination programme is now available for students who were previously offered the HPV vaccine but did not receive it.
Through the schools vaccination programme, students (both male and female) can now get the HPV vaccine free of charge if they missed it previously.
This once-off opportunity ensures students have another chance to get protected against HPV-related cancers.
The HPV catch-up programme will be offered in stages. Parents or guardians of eligible students will be contacted directly when it is their child’s turn to receive the vaccine.
If your child is home-educated and born between 1st September 2006 and the 31st August 2009, and did not receive the HPV vaccine in first year of secondary school, the free HPV vaccine is still available
To arrange an appointment, you will need to contact your local health office (LHO) and ask to speak with the HSE immunisation team, who will support you with booking an appointment.
You can find contact details for your local health office here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/whoweare/lhos.html
People eligible for HPV vaccine will be offered:
One vaccine dose
- If they have a healthy immune system or
Three vaccine doses
- If they are immunocompromised (have a weak immune system).
HPV Vaccine Information
If your child is 15 years old or younger we need parents and guardians to read this information and consent to show that they agree to their child getting this vaccine.
People who are 16 years old or older can consent for themselves. If you are aged between 16 and 19 years old, please read this information.
Common Questions
Can students decide to wait and get the HPV vaccine later as part of this catch up vaccination programme?
HPV catch up programme is being offered to 5th and 6th year students in secondary school for this academic year 2025/2026, as a once off opportunity, for those who previously missed the HPV vaccine while in first year of school.
Further plans are underway to offer a HPV catch up to 2nd year students to 5th year students, in secondary school for the academic year 2026/2027, for those who previously missed the HPV vaccine while in first year of school.
Is there a deadline on this offer?
Yes. This offer will only be available until the end of the academic year.
Will I get a record of the vaccines given?
How can students/prepare for vaccination day?
On the day of vaccination, students should:
- Eat breakfast
- Wear a loose-fitting short-sleeved top
How do we know vaccines are safe?
All vaccines are safe and have been proven to save lives and prevent serious illness. Vaccines are strictly monitored and reviewed regularly by international bodies including:
- the World Health Organization
- the European Medicines Agency
All international bodies have continually reported that the vaccines used in Ireland are safe with no known long-term side effects.
Does HPV vaccine have short-term side effects?
Most people have no problems after the HPV vaccine. Some can have an area of soreness, swelling and redness in their arm where the injection was given. Some may get a headache, feel sick in their tummy or run a slight temperature. This usually passes after a day or two.
Does HPV vaccine have long-term side effects?
There are no documented long-term side effects of HPV vaccine.
Do people need to attend cervical screening even if they have been vaccinated?
Yes. Even though the HPV vaccine protects against most cervical cancers, it doesn’t protect against all of them. So it is still important for women and people with a cervix to attend their HPV cervical screening every time they’re invited.
HPV cervical screening is free for 25 - 65 year olds.
You can read more on hse.ie/cervicalcheck
Reporting side effects
If you think you or your child have had a side effect after receiving a vaccine, you can report it to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) at www.hpra.ie. (you will be directed to the HPRA website)
Your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or a family member can also report the side effect to the HPRA.
The consent form for vaccines
If you are 16 or older, you can sign the consent form yourself.
If you are 15 or younger, a parent or guardian must read and sign the consent form to ensure you receive the HPV vaccine in school.
If a child is home educated or receiving the vaccine in a community clinic
To arrange an appointment, you will need to contact your local health office (LHO) and ask to speak with the HSE immunisation team, who will support you with booking an appointment.
You can find contact details for your local health office here: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/whoweare/lhos.html
The following information materials are available:
- HPV Vaccine Information Booklet: English (413kb), Irish (364kb)
- Consent form (239kb)
- After vaccine tearpad (139kb)
This page was updated on 7 January 2026