Rapid response to HPV vaccination crisis in Ireland

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination school-based programme for girls aged 12–13 years began in Ireland in 2010. Initially, the proportion of students who completed the vaccination course was above 80%. However, the proportion of girls who completed the vaccination schedule in 2015–16 dropped to 72·3%, and uptake of the first dose decreased further across all areas to an estimated 50% in 2016–17. This decline in vaccine uptake was due to parental concerns about vaccine safety that were spread by lobby groups established in 2015. Forming powerful cross-sectoral alliances has led to this rapid improvement in vaccine uptake.