Knock-on effect from HPV vaccine concerns

The reduction in uptake of the cervical cancer vaccine may influence a reduction in uptake of other childhood vaccines, a HSE health chief warns.

Assistant national director for health protection, Dr Kevin Kelleher, told a meeting of the Oireachtas health committee that this reduction “may be due to vaccine complacency, as many of the diseases are not visible now, due to the success of vaccination, or are not perceived to be serious and life-threatening.

“Ongoing, concerted efforts are required from all healthcare professionals and opinion leaders to improve and maintain vaccine confidence in HPV and all vaccines.”