HPV – the human papillomavirus – causes most cases of cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine is our first line of protection against it. It’s a simple step we can take that protects us for life from this virus.
As we head into Cervical Cancer Prevention Week later this month, let’s talk about why the vaccine matters, when and how to get it, and how vaccination and screening are working together to make cervical cancer rare in Ireland.
Why the HPV vaccine matters
Most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented - and prevention starts with the HPV vaccine.
HPV is a common virus. Most of us will get it at some point in our lives. For many of us, it causes no harm and clears on its own. For some people, the virus can persist – staying in the body instead of being cleared. When this happens, the virus can cause changes to the cells in the cervix. These changes are sometimes called pre-cancers as they could develop into cervical cancer.
There are more than 100 types of HPV. The vaccine protects us against the main types that cause cervical cancer.
What the research tells us
Getting the HPV vaccine significantly reduces our chance of getting cervical cancer later in life.
Recent Irish research shows that girls who were vaccinated in school have a 60% lower rate of serious pre-cancer disease at their first cervical screening test at aged 25.
This means the vaccine is working - protecting girls from this virus and protecting them from cervical cancer.
When to get the vaccine
The vaccine works best when people get it before they are likely to be exposed to the virus, which is passed through skin-to-skin sexual contact. This is why it’s offered to girls and boys in their first year of secondary school, through the HSE Schools Vaccination Programme.
The vaccine used in Ireland is called Gardasil 9. It’s safe and highly effective. It’s a once-off vaccine that protects you for life, and it’s free.
A second chance: HPV catch-up vaccination in schools
From 15 January 2026, the HSE is starting a catch-up HPV vaccination programme in schools. The Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme is for students in 5th and 6th year who did not get the HPV vaccine in first year.
If your child missed the HPV vaccine in first year, for any reason, this is another opportunity to get it.
It’s another chance to get protected against the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer.
Vaccination and screening – working together
Getting the HPV vaccine in secondary school is a first early step we can take to help prevent cervical cancer developing later in life. Then, from the ages of 25 to 65, regular cervical screening will give added protection.
Cervical screening works by testing for HPV first and finding people with persistent HPV infection. We can then check for any changes to the cells in the cervix caused by the virus and treat them before cancer develops. This is how screening and follow-up treatments can prevent cervical cancer.
While the vaccine protects against most types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, it doesn't protect against them all. And some cases of cervical cancer – while rare – are not caused by HPV.
So, if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, you should still go for cervical screening every time you’re invited.
Making cervical cancer rare
Ireland has set a target to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. This means getting the number of cases of cervical cancer to a low level – less than 4 cases per 100,000 women – making it rare.
We’re on track to do this, because we have what we need to get there:
- a free HPV vaccination programme
- a free cervical screening programme – CervicalCheck
- free treatment for people who need it.
To reach our goal, we need to increase the number of people getting the HPV vaccine and going for cervical screening every time they are invited.
Make a difference - Start a conversation
We want everyone to benefit from the HPV vaccine. Talk to your children, your family, your friends and other parents.
We can prevent cervical cancer. That starts with a conversation - and a choice.
- Choose the HPV vaccine when it’s offered in secondary school.
- Take up the offer of the HPV vaccine in 5th or 6th year if you didn’t get it before.
- Choose cervical screening every time you’re invited from the age of 25 to 65.
- Go for follow-up tests and treatment at colposcopy when advised.
Tell everyone - HPV vaccination and screening will make cervical cancer rare.
- Laura Brennan from Ennis, Co. Clare was a campaigner and advocate for the HPV vaccine. She passed away from cervical cancer in 2019 at the age of 26. After her diagnosis, Laura campaigned tirelessly to save the lives of others through her work as an HPV vaccine campaigner. The free HPV vaccine catch-up programme is named after Laura as a tribute to her memory and advocacy. An RTÉ documentary, following the final chapters of her life, ‘Laura Brennan: This Is Me’, is available on the RTÉ Player.
- The HPV vaccine is also recommended for people living with HIV up to and including the age of 26. It’s available at many HIV clinics and it’s free. If you are living with HIV in Ireland and are aged 26 or under, ask a nurse or doctor at your HIV clinic about the HPV vaccine.
- The HPV vaccine protects against cervical cancer and other cancers caused by HPV – penis, anus, vulva, vagina and throat. It also protects against genital warts.
- CervicalCheck is for women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 65 who do not have symptoms of cervical cancer. If you notice any possible symptoms that could be caused by cervical cancer, talk to your GP and get the right care for you.