HIQA published recommendations from its health technology assessment (HTA) on extending the HPV vaccine to boys on Friday, 7 December.
HIQA has advised that the National Immunisation Schedule switches from the 4-valent vaccine to the more effective 9-valent vaccine, which protects against an additional five types of HPV, and that the vaccine is extended to boys in their first year of secondary school — the same age that girls are offered the vaccine.
Dr Ryan continued: “Extending the HPV vaccine to boys provides direct protection against HPV-related disease to boys, indirect protection to girls who have not been vaccinated and would reduce HPV-related disease and mortality in Ireland. Over 20 years, a gender-neutral 9-valent programme will prevent an estimated 101 additional cases of cervical cancer compared with the current girls-only 4-valent programme.”
The HTA was approved by HIQA’s Board and submitted as advice to the Minister for Health, the National Immunisation Office, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to inform decision-making about the vaccination programme.
View the full HTA report and infographic here.