Vaccination clinics are available across Clare, Limerick, and North Tipperary throughout December.
The Health Service Executice (HSE) is urging young men and women in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary to get the life-saving HPV vaccine, as the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up campaign draws to a close in the coming weeks.
As part of the Laura Brennan HPV (human papillomavirus) Vaccine Catch-Up Programme, the vaccine is available to men, aged 21 and younger, and women, aged 24 and younger.
With limited clinics available until December 31, this will be the last chance for young people who haven’t had the HPV vaccine before to avail of this crucial vaccine for free.
Fintan Walsh, Communications Officer at the HSE, said: “The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause approximately 90% of cervical cancers; 90-95 per cent of HPV-related anal cancer; and 90 per cent of genital warts.
“Due to high demand since the scheme was extended to young men in September, the HSE has decided to reopen clinics at Primary Care Centres in the community and will be opening clinics in community hubs over the coming weeks. We have vaccinated more than 860 people as part of the campaign.”
The University of Limerick’s own Jennifer Purcell was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2019, and is now calling upon people to get vaccinated to fight cancer in Ireland.
Jennifer commented: “I didn’t have the chance to get the HPV vaccine for free, which could have prevented me from ever having cervical cancer, but it’s fantastic to see it being offered completely free until the end of the year to carry on Laura’s legacy.
“The campaign ends in a few weeks’ time at the end of December and getting this free vaccine is giving people a unique chance to protect themselves against serious illness later in life. I hope that we can achieve the goal of eliminating cervical cancer in Ireland, as Laura herself said: ‘Get your facts. Get the vaccine.’”
Limerick clinics:
- December 12 – St Brendan’s Health Centre, Rosbrien
- December 20 – Roxtown Health Centre, Limerick City
- December 28 – Roxtown Health Centre, Limerick City
Clare clinics:
- December 7 – Shannon Health Centre
- December 27 – Ennistymon Health Centre
North Tipperary clinics:
- December 11 – Thurles Primary Care Centre
- December 29 – Nenagh Health Centre