General
News
HPV vaccine protects against
two high-risk types
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most
common sexually transmitted disease
worldwide. Most sexually active people will
have a HPV infection in their lifetime. This
usually clears naturally but some infections
caused by oncogenic (cancer causing) HPV
types can progress to cervical cancer.
In Ireland, almost 300 women develop
cervical cancer each year and almost 90
women die because of it. Over 6500 women
are diagnosed with high grade precancerous
changes of the cervix caused by HPV infection
each year. These changes can progress to
cancer if not treated.
HPV vaccine protects against two high-
risk HPV types 16 and 18 that cause 70pc of
cervical cancers and since 2010 the HSE has
offered the HPV vaccine Gardasil to all girls in
two new vaccines added to schedule
Two new vaccines Meningococcal B
(MenB) and rotavirus vaccines are being
added to the childhood immunisation
schedule for all babies born on or after
October 1st 2016.
Why are the new vaccines
recommended?
Ireland has the highest rate of invasive
meningococcal disease in Europe, with
MenB disease being the major cause
of these infections. MenB disease is a
serious infection which causes severe
illness and death.
Rotavirus disease is very infectious and
the most common cause of gastroenteritis
in children in Ireland under the age of five
years. Whilst most babies and children
recover at home, almost 1000 children per
year are admitted to hospital.
What’s new about the vaccines?
Both vaccines are widely used
internationally and have proven to be very
safe and effective.
Babies under 12 months are more at
risk of getting a high fever after MenB
vaccine. To reduce the risk of fever,
all babies should be given liquid infant
paracetamol after their two and four-
month MenB vaccines.
The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine
which will come as a sugary solution,
prepared in an oral syringe. Very rarely
babies may develop an intussusception
(a blockage in their gut) after rotavirus
vaccine. Rotavirus vaccine cannot be given
60 | health matters | autumn 2016
first year in second level schools. in the incidence of any medical condition in
The vaccine is offered to this age group vaccinated girls. There is scientific evidence
because the response to the vaccine is best of the impact of HPV vaccine in countries that
at this age. introduced a vaccine programme since 2006
More than 100 million people have been with high vaccine uptake rates. Cases of high
vaccinated worldwide. In Ireland more than grade precancerous changes of the cervix
220,000 girls have been vaccinated. High have reduced by 75pc in Australia and by
vaccine uptakes are the key to the success more than 50pc in Denmark and Scotland.
of HPV vaccine but there are concerns that The National Immunisation Office strongly
uptake rates are falling in Ireland due to urges all staff to promote HPV vaccine to
alleged safety issues. This is of great concern protect girls from developing cervical cancer
to all those involved in cancer prevention. in the future.
HPV vaccine safety has been monitored for
more than 10 years by many international
bodies including the European Medicines More information
Agency (EMA) and the World Health
For more information see
Organization. Since 2006 there is no scientific
www.immunisation.ie
evidence that there has been an increase
on or after eight months and 0 days of age
as the risk of intussusception is greater in
older children.
Your local immunisation office,
local public health departments and
the National Immunisation Office are
available to assist with any questions that
you may have.
The new childhood immunisation
schedule will provide extra protection to
infants and young children against two
serious diseases.
More information
Further details on these vaccines, will be
provided in new immunisation information
materials and on the national immunisation
website www.immunisation.ie
CURRENT SCHEDULE - Babies born on or after 1st October 2016
Age Vaccine No. of Vaccine No. of
(Months) injections injections
2 6 in 1 + PCV 2 6 in 1 + PCV + MenB + Rotavirus 3 + oral
vaccine
4 6 in 1 + MenC 2 6 in 1 + MenB + Rotavirus 2 + oral
vaccine
6 6 in 1 + PCV 2 6 in 1 + PCV + MenC 3
12 MMR + PCV 2 MMR + MenB 2
13 MenC +Hib 2 Hib/MenC + PCV 2