HPV

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a group of common viruses that can affect both men and women. There are over 100 different types of and for most people do not cause any problems, but some types can cause genital warts or different types of cancer.

It is contracted sexually and it is estimated that most people will have been infected with HPV at some stage in their lifetime, mostly occurring in their late teens or early 20’s.

It is the leading cause for cervical cancer in women but can also cause other types such as vulval, vaginal, anal, penile, throat and mouth cancers.

It cannot be cured but we can treat the health problems that HPV can cause.

You can help reduce transmission of infection with HPV by using condoms and by getting the HPV Vaccine.

HPV Vaccine:

We provide the HPV vaccine here in the Womens Health Clinic to any woman over the age of 16 if requested.

The HPV vaccine was developed to prevent cervical cancer, pre-cancerous lesions and genital warts due to HPV.

Since 2010 the HSE have run a HPV vaccination programme offering girls in secondary school the HPV vaccine. Since 2019 both boys and girls are now being offered the vaccine in their first year of secondary school.

The schedule of vaccination for Gardasil HPV9 (since November 2022):

Age 9- 24 years A single dose of HPV vaccine is recommended.

Age 25 years and older Two doses at 0 and 6-12 months.

The cost is €230 per injection here in the Women’s Health Clinic. Not covered by medical card.

 The Laura Brennan Catch up Programme:

The Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme is for some people who are now over 16 who did avail of the vaccine when it was offered in school.

You can book your HPV vaccine catch-up appointment if you are a:

• female age 16 to 24 years
• male age 16 or older who started 1st year of secondary school, homeschool or a special school between 2019 and 2021

https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/schoolprog/hpv/hpv-vaccine-catch-up-programme/