Dr Lucy Jessop
Director of the National Immunisation Office and Consultant in Public Health Medicine
Innovations in patient care, like HPV vaccination, are driving significant reductions in cervical pre-cancer cases, marking a new era in women’s health where cervical cancer can be eliminated as a public health problem.
The introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Ireland represents a groundbreaking step in patient-centred care. Launched in 2010, the programme prioritised early prevention by targeting girls before exposure to the HPV virus, which we know causes the majority of cervical cancers. Despite early challenges, such as vaccine hesitancy driven by misinformation, the programme has significantly reduced the burden of high-grade cervical changes, meaning fewer women require treatment for cervical cancer and pre-cancers.
Shift in screening outcomes
Recent data underscores the vaccine’s transformative effect. Between 2019 and 2022, high-grade cytology rates among vaccinated 25-year-old women dropped to 1.5%, compared to 3.7% in prior unvaccinated cohorts. This decline demonstrates how preventive innovations reduce invasive procedures, improving patient experiences and outcomes.
Recent modelling work has
shown that Ireland is on target
to eliminate cervical cancer as
a public health problem by 2040.
Addressing barriers to preventive care
The initial HPV vaccine catch-up campaign had variable vaccine uptake (44%–70%). Later, cohorts of girls in the first year of second-level school achieved over 80%, thanks to targeted public health campaigns. Innovations in outreach, including patient advocacy and education, highlight how addressing misinformation can improve care delivery and public trust. The vaccine programme is now a universal programme offered to both boys and girls in first year, since 2019.
Cervical cancer elimination
Recent modelling work has shown that Ireland is on target to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2040. This is due to the combination of high vaccine uptake and cervical screening along with high treatment rates for those identified with cervical pre-cancers and cancers.
Optimising public health strategies
HPV vaccination demonstrates how innovations in preventive care can transform patient outcomes, reducing the need for invasive treatments and optimising public health strategies. Ireland’s success provides a model for integrating vaccination with screening, indicating a future where cervical cancer prevention is more effective and patient-centred. By continuing to innovate, we can ensure that every woman benefits from these advancements, paving the way for a healthier future.
For more information on the HPV vaccine, visit www.immunisation.ie
