The Minister of Health has announced that from September 2019 the HPV vaccination will be available for boys as well as girls in first year of secondary school.

HPV is the human papilloma virus. In girls the HPV virus can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, anus and head and neck. In boys HPV can cause cancer of the throat, penis, head and neck and anus.

HPV vaccination is also a cause of genital warts in boys and girls. All vaccines given by the HSE are licensed by the  HPRA and the EMA. These agencies have strict procedures for licensing and monitoring vaccines to make sure they are safe and effective. The World Health Organisation states that the vaccine is extremely safe. Unfortunately there are no plans for a catch up vaccination schedule for boys in second year or above. If you wish to have your son vaccinated  or have any questions please come and chat to us. There have been concerns expressed about the safety of the vaccine in recent years. We have reviewed the data and believe it to be safe. We encourage all our parents to have their children vaccinated.