HPV School Immunisation

The HSE began a HPV school immunisation programme in certain schools in May 2010. This programme was extended to other schools in September 2010.

The vaccine that is being administered through the immunisation programme is called Gardasil. Gardasil is a vaccine for the prevention of premalignant genital lesions (cervical, vulvar and vaginal ), cervical cancer and external genital warts (condyloma acuminata) causally related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Further information is available in section 5.1 of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). The use of Gardasil will be in accordance with national immunisation guidelines (see www.immunisation.ie for additional information) and as provided for in the SPC.

Gardasil has been shown to be effective in preventing cervical dysplasia (the condition that can lead to cervical cancer) in follow-up studies over a five-year period in women that did not have HPV at the time of vaccination. Vaccination against HPV, therefore, provides the potential to reduce the incidence of, and mortality from cervical cancer.

The Irish Medicines Board - www.imb.ie

HPV School Immunisation