Search Filters

HTA of HPV Vaccination in Girls

Status: Published on
View Press Release
Foreword

The Health Information and Quality Authority undertook this health technology assessment (HTA) in response to a request by the National Cancer Screening Service Board to inform a decision on the adoption of HPV vaccination as part of the national immunisation schedule. The HTA was completed and submitted as advice to the Minister for Health and Children, the National Cancer Screening Service Board and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee.

Following due consideration of the available evidence, a decision to vaccinate 12-year-old girls as part of the national immunisation schedule was taken by the then Minister for Health and was duly commenced in May 2010.

See HSE website regarding an update on implementation of the vaccination programme.

 

The purpose of the assessment was to establish the cost-effectiveness of a combined national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer screening programme compared with a cervical screening programme alone in the prevention of high grade cervical dysplasia (CIN 2+) and cervical cancer associated with HPV types 16 and 18.

HPV 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 HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer.

The HTA analysed the cost-effectiveness of a combined national HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening programme compared with a cervical cancer screening programme alone.