The Health Information and Quality Authority today published the Health Technology Assessment of 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 8th 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. 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.

The results of this cost-effectiveness analysis show that universal HPV vaccination of 12 year old females would be cost-effective in Ireland. The report also recommends a once-off vaccination programme for 13 to 15 year-old females. At older ages, the vaccine becomes less effective due to an increased likelihood of females being exposed to the virus before vaccination.

Dr Tracey Cooper, Chief Executive of the Authority said, “The Authority is pleased to publish our first Health Technology Assessment. Health Technology Assessment is key to informing the decision-making to drive quality and safety in any modern day health service and is an essential component of the work of the Authority. This HTA recommends that the vaccination of 12 year old females, against the types of HPV which cause the majority of cervical cancers, would be cost-effective in Ireland, together with a once-off vaccine programme for females of ages 13 to 15 years. It is advised that a vaccine programme, together with a cervical cancer screening programme, would have a significant impact on reducing the incidence of cervical cancer for females in Ireland.”

The final report, the findings of which have been approved by the Expert Advisory Group which was convened by the Authority, and the Board of the Authority, was submitted to the Minister for Health and Children, the National Cancer Screening Service Board and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. A decision regarding the vaccine will be made by the Minister for Health and Children in the coming months.

Ends.

Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

01 8047651 / 086 2447623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to the Editor: 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV Human papillomavirus describes a family of viruses, of which over 100 types have been identified. The virus is transmitted mainly through sexual contact. HPV types vary in their ability to cause cancer and other conditions and are classified as “low-risk” or “high-risk”. Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer.

Vaccines against Human Papillomavirus Two vaccines are licensed in Ireland to prevent HPV infections: GardasilTM (Sanofi Pasteur MSD) which was licensed in September 2006, and CervarixTM (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) which was licensed in September 2007. Both vaccines target HPV types 16 and 18. GardasilTM also targets HPV types 6 and 11, which cause anogenital lesions (warts). The vaccines are given as a course of three injections over a six-month period.