General News HPV protects against two high-risk types

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most first year in second level schools. in the incidence of any medical condition in common sexually transmitted disease The vaccine is offered to this age group vaccinated girls. There is scientific evidence worldwide. Most sexually active people will because the response to the vaccine is best of the impact of HPV vaccine in countries that have a HPV in their lifetime. This at this age. introduced a vaccine programme since 2006 usually clears naturally but some More than 100 million people have been with high vaccine uptake rates. Cases of high caused by oncogenic (cancer causing) HPV vaccinated worldwide. In Ireland more than grade precancerous changes of the cervix types can progress to cervical cancer. 220,000 girls have been vaccinated. High have reduced by 75pc in Australia and by In Ireland, almost 300 women develop vaccine uptakes are the key to the success more than 50pc in Denmark and Scotland. cervical cancer each year and almost 90 of HPV vaccine but there are concerns that The National Immunisation Office strongly women die because of it. Over 6500 women uptake rates are falling in Ireland due to urges all staff to promote HPV vaccine to are diagnosed with high grade precancerous alleged safety issues. This is of great concern protect girls from developing cervical cancer changes of the cervix caused by HPV infection to all those involved in cancer prevention. in the future. each year. These changes can progress to HPV vaccine safety has been monitored for cancer if not treated. more than 10 years by many international HPV vaccine protects against two high- bodies including the European Medicines More information risk HPV types 16 and 18 that cause 70pc of Agency (EMA) and the World Health cervical cancers and since 2010 the HSE has Organization. Since 2006 there is no scientific For more information see www.immunisation.ie offered the HPV vaccine to all girls in evidence that there has been an increase

two new added to schedule Two new vaccines Meningococcal B on or after eight months and 0 days of age (MenB) and vaccines are being as the risk of intussusception is greater in added to the childhood immunisation older children. schedule for all babies born on or after Your local immunisation office, October 1st 2016. local public health departments and Why are the new vaccines the National Immunisation Office are recommended? available to assist with any questions that Ireland has the highest rate of invasive you may have. meningococcal disease in Europe, with The new childhood immunisation MenB disease being the major cause schedule will provide extra protection to of these infections. MenB disease is a infants and young children against two serious infection which causes severe serious diseases. illness and death. Rotavirus disease is very infectious and the most common cause of More information in children in Ireland under the age of five years. Whilst most babies and children Further details on these vaccines, will be recover at home, almost 1000 children per provided in new immunisation information year are admitted to hospital. materials and on the national immunisation website www.immunisation.ie What’s new about the vaccines? Both vaccines are widely used internationally and have proven to be very CURRENT SCHEDULE - Babies born on or after 1st October 2016 safe and effective. Babies under 12 months are more at Age Vaccine No. of Vaccine No. of risk of getting a high fever after MenB (Months) injections injections vaccine. To reduce the risk of fever, 2 6 in 1 + PCV 2 6 in 1 + PCV + MenB + Rotavirus 3 + oral all babies should be given liquid infant vaccine paracetamol after their two and four- month MenB vaccines. 4 6 in 1 + MenC 2 6 in 1 + MenB + Rotavirus 2 + oral The rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine vaccine which will come as a sugary solution, 6 6 in 1 + PCV 2 6 in 1 + PCV + MenC 3 prepared in an oral syringe. Very rarely babies may develop an intussusception 12 MMR + PCV 2 MMR + MenB 2 (a blockage in their gut) after rotavirus 13 MenC +Hib 2 Hib/MenC + PCV 2 vaccine. Rotavirus vaccine cannot be given

60 | health matters | autumn 2016