Lucy Jessop
Director of Public Health, National Immunisation Office
Young people who missed the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine when it was first offered now have another opportunity to get protected through the free Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme.
From September 2026, the Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme is being offered to eligible boys and girls in second to fifth year of post-primary school who missed HPV vaccination when it was previously offered.
The programme will be delivered primarily through schools, with HSE vaccination teams visiting schools to offer the free vaccine to eligible students. Eligible home-educated young people can also access free HPV vaccination through the HSE.
Why HPV vaccination matters
HPV is a very common virus. Most people will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. While most infections clear naturally, some types of HPV can cause cancer later in life. HPV can cause cervical cancer as well as cancers affecting the throat, anus, penis and vulva. Vaccination is a safe and effective way of reducing the risk of HPV-related cancers and is recommended for both boys and girls.
The most effective time to receive the HPV vaccine is when it is first offered. However, the catch-up programme provides an important additional opportunity for young people who missed vaccination previously.
For most young people, one dose of the HPV vaccine provides the recommended protection. If your child already received one dose of the HPV vaccine when it was offered in the first year of post-primary school, they are fully vaccinated and do not need a second dose.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way of reducing the risk of
HPV-related cancers and is recommended for both boys and girls
Young people with a weakened immune system require a three-dose course. If they have already completed their recommended three doses, they do not need any further doses.
Take up the opportunity
Parents and young people are encouraged to read the information provided by the HSE and take up the free HPV vaccine if eligible. The programme continues the legacy of Laura Brennan, whose advocacy helped transform awareness and understanding of HPV vaccination in Ireland.
Visit HSE.ie for information about the HPV vaccine, eligibility and how to access vaccination.
