In 2010, the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine was introduced for girls in Ireland where it continues to this day and is offered in over 90 countries. Ideally the vaccine should be administered before you become sexually active. As per the NIAC, HPV vaccines are non-live vaccines and contain virus like particles. These vaccines do not contain any of the virus DNA therefore they are not infectious however they resemble the virus enough to allow our body to generate antibodies against it. The HPV Vaccine can protect against the type of HPV that causes 9 out of 10 cervical cancers. From as far back as 2006, there is evidence that demonstrates not only the safety of the vaccine but that it is effective.
Irish Facts about the HPV Vaccine
The school-based HPV vaccination programme for girls aged 12-13 years (first year of second-level school) was introduced in 2010 in Ireland.
In September 2019, the programme was extended to include boys (making it gender-neutral) in schools.
From December 2022 to December 2023 the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch‑up Programme was launched, offering free HPV vaccination to those who had previously been eligible but had not been vaccinated in school.
The programme will be delivered primarily through schools. During the initial phase of the programme, free HPV vaccines will be provided to students in 5th and 6th year of secondary school between January and August 2026. In the following phase, these vaccines will be available to students from 2nd to 5th year in the 2026/2027 academic year.
On 29 August 2023 the catch-up programme was expanded to include unvaccinated males up to their 22nd birthday (and females up to 24) who had missed vaccination when in school.
Over 11,000 people availed of the Laura Brennan Catch-Up Programme.
In 2025 the HSE will run a pilot programme which aims to support marginalised communities and improve uptake HPV Vaccine rates specifically within the Traveller, Migrant and Roma communities living in Ireland.
While there was a commitment by the Government in 2025 to reinstate the Laura Brennan Catch-up programme, today this has not yet happened.
If you require the HPV vaccine in Ireland today outside of the schools programme you will have to pay approximately €600.
If you choose to vaccinate your child when they are older it will be at your own expense through your GP.
If you have left secondary school, contact your GP for a vaccine, again this will be at your own expense.
How can I reduce the risk of HPV?
Reduce the risk of getting HPV by:
- Availing of the HPV Vaccine
- Engaging in the national screening programme for cervical screening.
- For those of who have never received the vaccine, ensuring you attend your GP for a cervical screening test as a way to identify if you have the virus.
- Even if you have had the vaccine, when you become 25 years of age, it is still advised that you attend your routine smear tests as well.
- Using condoms correctly can help protect against HPV but does not cover all the skin around the genitalia.
- Ensuring intimate aids are thoroughly cleaned can also help to reduce the risk.
Useful information
HPV Factsheet (ESGO) (this link will open a pdf document)
HPV vaccine explained (ESGO) (this link will open a pdf document)
About immunisation in Ireland (this link will take you to rcpi.ie)
NHS (UK) article on HPV (this link will take you to nhs.uk)
Clinical Science article on HPV and links to cancer progression (this link will take you to portlandpress.com, an academic journal)
About the HPV vaccination program in Ireland (this link will take you to hse.ie)
