Concern over decline in girls receiving HPV vaccine

The decline in the number of girls receiving the HPV vaccine that protects them against cervical cancer is likely to continue, a public health doctor warned.

There has been a significant decrease in the number of first-year secondary schoolgirls receiving the vaccine, as the uptake rate fell to 70% over the past year.

The decline comes amid claims of girls becoming ill after receiving the HPV vaccination, but the HSE insists the vaccine is safe.