HPV School Immunisation

The HPV vaccine has been offered as part of the HSE Schools Immunisation Programme in Ireland since 2010. As of September 2019, Gardasil 9 is the HPV vaccine currently used in the context of the Schools Immunisation Programme, while previously, students were offered Gardasil. Gardasil and Gardasil 9 are two of several HPV vaccines (i.e. Cervarix, Gardasil/Silgard and Gardasil 9) authorised by the European Commission for use in the EU.

In the context of its EU authorisation Gardasil is approved for use in the prevention of HPV diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Gardasil 9, in addition to offering protection against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, also offers protection against HPV types 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Gardasil 9 is authorised for the prevention of HPV diseases, including premalignant lesions and cancers affecting the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus, and genital warts. The use of Gardasil 9 in the HSE Schools Immunisation Programme is in accordance with national immunisation guidelines. Further information on the HSE Schools Immunisation Programme for HPV is available on the HSE website. 

Update: 24 January 2020

Following commentary on social media (beginning 20 January 2020), the HPRA has issued the below statement to provide clarification concerning a report that it received in error:

HPRA confirms no patient fatality in Ireland associated with Gardasil