Uptake of cervical cancer jab falls 50%

Vaccinations against a virus that can cause cervical cancer fell by half last year in Ireland amid scares over side-effects.

The HSE said the collapse in uptake of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil stabilised this year, as it warned parents about “conflicting and misleading information”.

Since 2010, more than 230,000 girls have been vaccinated, with about 1,000 reporting adverse reactions.