More opting for cervical cancer jab

5 PER CENT RISE IN NUMBERS OF GIRLS GETTING HPV VACCINATION

KERRY is witnessing a rise in the numbers of girls getting the cervical cancer vaccine at a time when the HSE is reporting a ‘stabilisation’ in the drop of uptake rates in the country as a whole.

The trends were publicised at the HSE’s recent National HPV Vaccination Conference in which the WHO pointed to a campaign of ‘misinformation’ as the cause of the recent downturn in numbers opting for the life-saving vaccine.

Take-up rates plummeted after parents came forward to publicise worrying symptoms in their children they believed may have been linked to HPV vaccinations.

WHO Head of Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunisation Mr Robb Butler however told the conference the World Health Organisation was ‘standing with’ the many health bodies in Ireland ‘in their ongoing efforts to see all females of vaccination age protected against the cancer-causing virus.

“We in the WHO stand with the many health bodies and agencies in Ireland in their ongoing efforts to see this worrisome trend reversed and the campaign of misinformation ceased. The victims of the decisions made today will be those whose families are affected by cervical cancer that could have been prevented,” Mr Butler said.

The HSE said it was still deeply concerned over current vaccination rates depsite clear evidence that more parents ‘are hearing the message that this vaccine is safe and effective’.

It would seem parents in Kerry are particularly receptive with a five per cent upswing in take up according to Principal Medical Officer Dr Angela O’Leary: “Preliminary figures show that the HPV uptake increased by up to five per cent in Cork and Kerry which is good news. We need to build on this success so more girls are protected with this life saving vaccine.”