Vaccine named after Clare woman is being rolled out to young men
ALL MALES up to their 22nd birthday will now be entitled to receive a life-saving vaccine, named after a Clare woman.
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD has announced the expansion of the Laura Brennan HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Catch-Up Programme to include all males up to 22 years of age.
The 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.
It is named in memory of Laura Brennan, a Clare woman from Ennis, who campaigned for higher uptake of the HPV vaccine before her death from cervical cancer at the age of 26, in 2019.
From 29 August, those who are now eligible can register to get the vaccine under this programme which is open until 31 December.
Minister Donnelly said: “Huge credit for this programme is due to the Brennan family who continue to campaign tirelessly in the memory of their brave daughter Laura. Laura herself was also an incredible patient advocate and her campaigning led to increased uptake of the life-saving HPV vaccine.
“It is by increasing HPV vaccination and screening among our population that we will finally reach our goal of eliminating cervical cancer in Ireland.
“I’m also encouraging young men to take this opportunity to protect themselves against a number of cancers caused by HPV.”
Since its launch last year, the programme has offered free HPV vaccines to all boys and girls in second-level education who were previously eligible to receive the vaccine in school and who had not yet received it.
It is also open to young women up to the age of 25 who have left secondary school and did not previously receive the vaccine.
HPV infection can lead to cancer in men, including penile, anal, oral, and throat cancers, as well as anogenital warts.
Laura Brennan’s parents Bernie and Larry Brennan said: “As a family we know only too well the devastation that cervical cancer can cause.
“While we miss our wonderful daughter constantly, we are very heartened that the work she dedicated so much of her life to is being continued through the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme.”