The Health Information and Quality Authority today welcomed the decision by the Minister for Health and Children in relation to The Role of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines in Reducing the Risk of Cervical Cancer in Ireland. 

Infection with HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer which is the eighth most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in Ireland. In 2004 alone, 200 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer, while over 90 women died of the disease. Vaccination against HPV therefore represents a new opportunity to reduce the incidence of, and mortality from, this form of cancer.

Following a request from the National Cancer Screening Service Board, the Health Information and Quality Authority agreed in July 2007, to carry out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the role of vaccination against HPV in reducing the risk of cervical cancer in Ireland. The Authority asked the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics to undertake the HTA on its behalf. The purpose of this assessment was to establish the cost-effectiveness of a combined national HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening programme compared to a cervical cancer screening programme alone. Following completion of the HTA, advice was provided to the Minister for Health and Children, the National Cancer Screening Service Board and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

Dr Patricia Harrington, the Authority’s Health Technology Assessment Project Manager, said: “The Authority is pleased that our recommendation in relation to the vaccination of 12-year-old females is to be implemented and believes that a vaccine programme, together with a cervical cancer screening programme, will have a significant impact on reducing the incidence of cervical cancer for women in Ireland.

“This was the first HTA undertaken by the Authority and illustrates the role of HTA in informing safe and effective health policies, allowing the speedy introduction of technologies with significant health benefits for Irish patients while also achieving best value for the Irish healthcare system.”

Ends.

Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

01 8047651 / 086 2447623 mwhelan@hiqa.i