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The HSE has launched the next phase of the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up programme, giving eligible young people who previously missed their HPV vaccine another opportunity to get protected against HPV-related cancers.

From September, HSE vaccination teams will visit post-primary (secondary) schools across the country to offer free HPV vaccination to students in second, third, fourth and fifth year who have not previously received the vaccine. Home-educated young people in eligible age groups can also access the free vaccine.

The latest preliminary data from the first phase of the School Catch-up Programme show that more than 2,000 young people who had previously missed their HPV vaccine have now been vaccinated through the programme. Young people are continuing to come forward when given another opportunity to receive the vaccine.

The programme gives young people who missed vaccination another opportunity to protect themselves against HPV-related cancers and continues the legacy of Laura Brennan (RIP), whose advocacy transformed awareness of HPV vaccination in Ireland. During the final months of her life, she campaigned publicly to encourage young people to get the HPV vaccine. In Laura's words, “the HPV vaccine saves lives; it could have saved mine.”

Laura would have turned 34 this year but she died of cervical cancer, a HPV-related cancer, when she was 26. Prevention is better than cure and prevention is definitely better than no cure. If you have a boy or girl in first year, make sure they get their HPV vaccine. If they missed out in first year, they have a chance to catch-up now with the launch of this programme in Laura’s name. Don’t miss the opportunity to save them from HPV-related cancers when they grow up.

It is encouraging that more than 2,000 young people who had previously missed their HPV vaccine have already been vaccinated through the School Catch-up Programme. Every young person who comes forward is gaining important protection against HPV-related cancers later in life. We want as many eligible young people as possible to benefit from this programme. While many young people are protected against HPV, we know that some missed vaccination when it was first offered.

HPV is very common and can cause cancer later in life, but vaccination can significantly reduce that risk. This catch-up programme gives young people who missed out another opportunity to get protected.

Today marks the launch of the next phase of the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme, which will offer an additional opportunity to students in second to fifth year to receive this lifesaving vaccination.

It is so important that the HPV vaccine is administered early to maximise the protection provided against the risk of cervical cancer and other HPV related cancers later in life.

The powerful advocacy of Laura and her parents, Larry and Bernadette, has saved lives and helped to increase confidence in vaccination. The excellent work of the Irish Cancer Society in this regard must also be acknowledged.

By increasing HPV vaccination uptake, we are progressing towards the ultimate goal of eliminating cervical cancer in Ireland by 2040 and helping to make this disease increasingly rare for future generations.

HPV vaccination is one of the most effective measures we have to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers in Ireland. I would appeal to all eligible young people to take this opportunity to receive this safe, effective, and life-saving vaccine.

We know that school vaccination programmes play a very important role in reaching eligible young people and helping them safeguard their future health. That is why I want to thank school communities who will facilitate the HSE as it launches the next phase of Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme for post-primary school students from September. 

I would encourage students who meet the eligibility criteria to receive the vaccine, in consultation with their parents and guardians, to avail of the opportunity to receive the free HPV vaccine. It is a vital opportunity for young people to protect themselves against HPV- related cancers.

A new study published in The Lancet has provided further evidence of the life-saving impact of HPV vaccination, showing that cervical cancer deaths among young women in England have fallen dramatically since the introduction of the HPV vaccine programme, with no cervical cancer deaths recorded among women aged 20-24 between 2020 and 2024. The benefits seen in England demonstrate the importance of maintaining high vaccination uptake.

The HPV vaccine doesn't just protect against cervical cancer, but also other HPV-related cancers for example cancers of the penis and anus, as well as genital warts. Every young person who receives the HPV vaccine gains protection against HPV-related cancers and diseases in later life.

The HSE is encouraging parents and guardians to review the information provided, talk openly with their children and young people about HPV vaccination, and support them to make an informed decision when the vaccine is offered.

The programme is open to:

• all eligible boys and girls in second to fifth year of post-primary (secondary) school
• home-educated young people born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2013

If your child received one dose of the HPV vaccine when it was offered in first year of post-primary school, they are fully vaccinated and do not need a second dose. Young people with a weakened immune system who have completed their recommended three-dose course are also fully vaccinated and do not need any further doses.

Separately, the routine school vaccination programme will continue as normal, with first-year students offered HPV, Tdap and MenACWY vaccines.

The HPV vaccine is most effective when received at the age it is first offered. However, young people who missed vaccination now have another opportunity to receive protection.

How the programme will work

HSE vaccination teams will work with post-primary schools to identify and offer vaccination to eligible students who missed HPV vaccination previously.

Parents and guardians of eligible students aged 15 years and under will be asked to provide consent for vaccination. Young people aged 16 years and over can provide consent themselves.

Home-educated young people in the eligible age groups can also access free HPV vaccination.

Find out more information on how to get the vaccine