The HSE says 42,000 girls have been immunised against HPV, which helps protect against seven out of 10 cervical cancers. Up to 84% of first-year girls got all three doses of the vaccine last year.
Dr Brenda Corcoran, from the HSE national immunisation office, said: "The HSE are delighted to announce that 42,000 girls have now completed the three-dose course of HPV vaccine - and that means that they're protected against the types of HPV that cause seven out of 10 cervical cancers.
"So that's very good news."
Uptake rates have exceeded the targets set by the HSE year on year, according to Dr Kevin Kelleher, HSE Assistant National Director, Public Health and Child Health.
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"Staff involved in the programme are to be commended for this achievement and particularly for the impressive retention of girls in the programme, given that 97% of first year girls and 93% of sixth years who received a first dose of HPV vaccine completed the 3 dose schedule These figures are better, or as good as many other countries and are a great credit to the staff of the vaccination teams."
Most of the vaccinations were administered in schools by HSE immunisation teams, with some girls being invited to HSE clinics for their vaccine.
This year the vaccine schedule will change from three to two doses at 0 and 6 months as new data has shown that two doses are effective in young girls.
In addition a Meningococcal C (Men C) booster is being introduced this year for first-year girls and boys.
In addition a Meningococcal C (Men C) booster is being introduced this year for first-year girls and boys.
This vaccine is routinely given to babies but the immunity reduces over time so a booster is recommended for teenagers to provide additional protection. This vaccine will be given at the same time as the second dose of HPV for girls and in the second or third term for boys.
www.yoursexualhealth.ie FREEFONE: HELPLINE: 1800 459 459 & helpline@hse.ie
www.yoursexualhealth.ie FREEFONE: HELPLINE: 1800 459 459 & helpline@hse.ie
*New campaign aims to get Gonorrhoea prevention messages trending on Twitter #OMGsti
Union of Students Ireland (USI), Dublin AIDS Alliance, SpunOut.ie, the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme and Think Contraception, are aiming to tackle the rise in Gonorrhoea cases with a new social media campaign. Between 2011 and 2012 there was a 33% increase in Gonorrhoea cases, and young men and women aged 17 to 29 years have been identified as a particular at risk group. The tongue-in-cheek style of key messages for the campaign will help with getting the information across to young adults in both a humorous and factual way.
Key messages will be promoted primarily using online resources – Facebook, Twitter and websites -from Monday 9th December and will continue into 2014. Social media messages will promote safer sex, prevention of sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) including the consistent use of condoms, and STI testing and treatment services. The use of social media will enable the campaign messages to reach a large national audience.
The campaign has been funded by the HSE and was prompted by a steady rise in cases of Gonorrhoea over recent years. Dr Fionnuala Cooney, Public Health Specialist with the HSE, saidtoday that “our ability to test for gonorrhoea has improved in recent years, and more sensitive tests, and more numbers attending for screening may account for some of the increase – however, we know that unsafe sexual behaviour is a significant driver of the increase in cases of Gonorrhoea and other STIs.”
Susan Donlon, Dublin AIDS Alliance, said “It is vital that young people can make informed decisions about their sexual health, and how to prevent the transmission of Gonorrhoea and other STIs. The campaign’s website, www.yoursexualhealth.ie, provides information on the facts about Gonorrhoea, safer sex, where to access free STI testing, and where to access free condoms.”
Denise McCarthy, Union of Students in Ireland, said “We urge everyone to follow simple steps for prevention – get accurate and reliable information on STIs, always use a condom when having sex, and talk to your partner(s) about STI testing and using condoms. People can have Gonorrhoea and not have any signs or symptoms, so regular STI testing is encouraged, particularly if you have many sexual partners or if you have ever had unprotected sex. Testing is free in public STI clinics.”
An information booklet is also available and will be widely distributed, particularly for organisations working with young people who don’t have easy online access. Outreach activities and providing access to, and distributing, free condoms will also form part of the campaign to ensure those most at risk are aware of how to prevent STI transmission.
- www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gonorrhoea/Pages/
Symptomsnew.aspx Cached
Symptoms of gonorrhoea usually develop within about 10 days of being infected, although they sometimes may not appear until many months later. - Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, men who do havesymptoms, may have: A burning sensation when urinating;
- www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gonorrhoea/Pages/
Introduction.aspx Cached
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) ... If you have any of the symptomsof gonorrhoea or you are worried you may have an STI, ...
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