Young people and students urged to avail of free HPV vaccine clinics in Limerick

PUBLIC Health HSE Mid-West and HSE Mid West Community Healthcare are urging young people in Limerick to avail of the life-saving HPV vaccine, as they increase the number of free vaccination clinics in the region.

This is part of the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign, which ends at the end of December.

The vaccine is free for all women, aged under 25, and all men, aged under 22. Eligible people can register at www.hpv.ie to receive a HPV vaccine.

Due to high demand since the scheme was extended to young men in September, the HSE has decided to reopen clinics at higher education institutions and primary care centres in the community, and will be opening clinics in community hubs over the coming weeks.

Clinics open to the general public will be held at the North Side Limerick Youth Service, Ballynanty on November 2 and 27, and at the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on November 8. 

Clinics just for students will also be held at University of Limerick on November 1, and at Mary Immaculate College on November 23.

The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause approximately 90% of cervical cancers; 90-95% of HPV-related anal cancer; and 90% of genital warts.

"We would like to thank the public for the enthusiastic uptake and response as part of this campaign over the past month," Public Health HSE Mid-West said in a statement.

To date, more than 700 young women and men across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary have been vaccinated as part of the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme.

"However, there are still many more young people who have yet to receive this life-saving vaccine."

"We are appealing to women who have left secondary school and did not previously receive the vaccine. We are also appealing to eligible young men to avail of the vaccine in order to protect themselves and their sexual partners against HPV-related infections and cancers," the statement continued.

Around 1-in-3 men can carry a strain of HPV, and 1-in-5 men can carry high-risk strains of HPV. This emphasises the importance of boys and young men getting the HPV vaccine.

Dr Breda Cosgrove, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Public Health HSE Mid-West said: “The positive response from young people across the Mid-West in recent weeks has been very encouraging, and we are hopeful that many more young people will register for their free vaccine before the programme ends in December.

"For many, it will be their last chance to avail of this important vaccine. It is a great opportunity to protect young men and women against HPV infection which can lead to cancer, such as cervical, anal, penile, throat, and oral cancers, as well as genital warts."

To register and to find out more go to www.hpv.ie.