Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the north of Ireland will be eligible to receive the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine.
The Health Minister made the announcement ahead of her visit to the Belfast Pride Festival. Speaking at the festival, Michelle O’Neill said: “I am announcing an investment of over £100,000 into the HPV vaccination programme following the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This will be a targeted vaccination programme for MSM aged up to 45 who attend GUM and HIV clinics, further details regarding the vaccination programme will be issued in due course.
“Investment in this programme will help to provide protection against HPV which can cause a range of cancers. My Department is now working closely with the Public Health Agency to ensure the HPV vaccine can be offered to eligible men attending GUM clinics in the near future.”
Human papilloma virus is the name for a group of viruses which can lead to some forms of cancer as well as genital warts. Vaccination provides the best protection against some forms of HPV which can cause cancer.
