Experts advise vaccine take-up for combating HPV virus

With 90 women dying here each year of cervical cancer, a leading health body has said parents can help to save their daughters’ lives by allowing them to be vaccinated against the HPV virus.

Following a “deeply concerning” 15% decrease in the uptake of the HPV vaccine for girls last year, the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland (RCPI) warns the decline in participation is a significant threat to public health.

As the schedule of HPV vaccination gets under way in schools across the country, RCPI has asked parents to allow their daughters to be vaccinated as the jab protects against the two viruses that cause 70% of cervical cancers, HPV 16 and 18.