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LAST WEEK, THE HSE launched an information campaign urging parents to avail of the free HPV vaccine programme for their school-going daughters, amidst falling rates of girls receiving the vaccine.
HPV, which can be contracted by physical contact, particularly sexual contact, can lead to a number of cancers, including cervical, penile, throat and anal cancers in men and women.
The seven-year-old vaccine programme to protect girls against contracting HPV has seen uptake rates fall from 90% at its peak to 50% last year, and Minister for Health Simon Harris spoke out strongly against the “misinformation” that had caused these rates to drop so severely.
As this FactCheck from TheJournal.ie found, all scientific evidence – in Ireland and internationally – has pointed towards the vaccine being very effective and very safe. However, campaign groups have questioned the safety of the vaccine, claiming it has caused illnesses in hundreds of teenage girls and young women in Ireland.
HSE Director General Tony O’Brien said that campaigns against the HPV vaccine couldn’t be described as anything other than “a form of emotional terrorism”.
McGrath comments
Finian McGrath, a super junior minister at the Department of Health and a member of the Independent Alliance, has come under fire for his stance on the rollout of the vaccine. It was reported at the weekend that the Dublin TD raised concerns about the vaccine when in opposition last year.
McGrath has since said he stands over the fact that he raised the concerns of parents, but that he accepts “that such vaccines are a very important part of Government health strategy”.
He is not the only TD to have raised the issue on more than one occasion in the Dáil. In fact, HPV has been mentioned in 276 separate sittings of the Dáil, Seanad and Oireachtas Committees, and Gardasil in another 123 sittings.
TheJournal.ie spoke to several TDs who raised the concerns of their constituents about HPV vaccine Gardasil, and asked where they stood on the topic now.
‘You can’t be an expert in everything’
A common theme across the TDs we spoke to was that they were raising the topic because of concerns brought to them by local constituents.
Fine Gael TD for Sligo-Leitrim Tony McLoughlin has raised the issue on numerous occasions with the Minister for Health via parliamentary questions in the Dáil.
Since May 2016, he has asked questions about Gardasil on seven separate occasions.
In his most recent question, in January of this year, he asked Simon Harris for “his views on the fact that more and more parents of children affected by the Gardasil vaccine are contacting their public representatives” about their concerns regarding the HPV vaccine.
McLoughlin also asked if the Minister would consider setting up an independent inquiry to investigate the claims.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, the Sligo-Leitrim TD said that he had raised the issue because a number of families in his constituency had reported to him that their daughters had been affected adversely by the vaccine.
He said: “As a public representative, I was approached by a number of parents who had these concerns. It’s my job then to highlight them, to ask the questions.”
McLoughlin said that Harris had sought to reassure him that the HPV vaccine was safe.
“All of the experts [Harris] was receiving advice from were saying that it was safe,” he said.
He emphasised that he was no expert himself, but felt it was worth highlighting his constituents’ concerns on a national stage as their public representative.
“I spoke to Harris – both in the Dáil chamber and on a one-to-one level,” McLoughlin said. “He said it is vital that young ladies receive this vaccine, and that reassured me to a degree.”
Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has also raised the issue of Gardasil in the Dáil.
She told TheJournal.ie that, at the time in autumn 2015, she wouldn’t have been as familiar with the topic as she is now.
“You can’t be an expert in everything,” she said. “When a constituent has concerns, you raise it with the Minister which is what I did.
Parents will always want to satisfy themselves by getting a good answer. I brought it to the Minister’s attention and got a very comprehensive reply.
The Kildare North TD said that there was no harm in having a debate about it in the public domain.
“I would take an evidence-based approach, and there is very strong international evidence that supports the vaccine,” she said.
We have had vaccine trials with serious side effects in this country before but [Gardasil] is different. This vaccine went through a significant set of trials over many years before it reached patients here.
Murphy added:
I’ve got to say I know people who have had cervical cancer and have died from it. Good health policy needs to be proactive rather than reactive. That’s the approach I’d be expecting people in the Department of Health to take.
‘It’s changed their lives’
Michael Healy-Rae, independent TD for Kerry South, first asked about the Gardasil vaccine in 2014.
Providing details of a case, he asked then-Minister for Health James Reilly if the vaccine was safe and if there was a possibility of side-effects.
He asked Minister for Health Simon Harris if he had plans to highlight the dangers of the vaccine in July 2016, and again in October 2016.
Healy-Rae told TheJournal.ie that he has dealt with parents who said their children had reacted to the vaccine “in a very serious, negative way”.
“It’s changed their lives, and turned them upside down,” he said.
I wouldn’t dare say such a thing as don’t take the vaccine. What I would say is you have to make yourselves aware of the worries and concerns about the vaccine.
He said that Finian McGrath shouldn’t be criticised for asking questions on behalf of his own constituents.
“He was being honest, and he’s acting responsibly,” Healy-Rae said. “And you can’t blame him for that.”
Healy-Rae said that he felt he had to raise the issue with Reilly and Harris to express the worries of families.
“I have a lot of families who are devastated about it. And I have families of daughters who’ve had no adverse reaction,” he said. “I think it’s up to the parents.”
As for the hypothetical situation of whether or not he would choose to have his own daughter given the vaccine, the Kerry South TD said that would be a difficult choice.
“I’d have to sit down with my wife, and my child, and we’d have to look at all the evidence. I’d have to educate myself,” he said.
At the minute, I think I probably would say they should get the vaccine.
Back in 2015, an Oireachtas Committee invited in representatives from Regret, a group advocating against the use of Gardasil.
At that sitting, Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Billy Kelleher said he thought it was “important that we provide a forum where the witnesses can present their case and outline their concerns about the Gardasil vaccine”.
“We must ensure that information is provided to patients in a way that is legible and understanding and that informs them of the full potentials of the risks around the vaccination programme,” the Cork North Central TD said at the time.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie yesterday, Kelleher said the current uptake levels are “very concerning for public health”.
“This is an immunisation programme that actually saves lives,” he said. “It is very concerning that we had that misinformation out there.”
On having Regret addressing the Oireachtas committee, the Fianna Fáil TD said that they had “grave concerns” about their families and that they brought clinicians in to the same committee to give their expert opinion.
We should be promoting [the HPV vaccine]. And we should promote it in a way that explains in detail the advantages, the importance of getting it. If there are risks, they should be explained. Fears should be allayed.
Referring to Finian McGrath’s comments, Kelleher said that “if you’re going to heighten concerns, you need to back it up”.
“Our political figures can’t undermine this in a casual way,” he added.
Political pressure
Kelleher’s comments on McGrath add to growing pressure on the Minister, after calls from Labour’s Alan Kelly for him to resign.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland yesterday, Kelly said McGrath had been “irresponsible in the extreme”.
He said: “As a Minister in the Department of Health, the amount of commentary he has now generated is completely irresponsible for someone in his position to generate.”
Simon Harris has been particularly strong in his statements on the vaccine in recent days, saying that he gets his “advice from people who train very, very hard and who are well-qualified to give medical and scientific advice”.
If you want to be a clinician, if you want to be a pharmacist, if you want to be a scientist go study one of those disciplines. Then come back and give scientific advice.
Minister for Education Richard Bruton, meanwhile, has said that he does not believe Minister Finian McGrath should resign.
Bruton said yesterday that he is “confident” McGrath has “corrected the impression that was put out there that he was in some way opposed to this approach”.
He also dismissed concerns about the safety of the vaccine, adding: “I think Finian did make comments in opposition when he raised concerns but I think the government is absolutely satisfied that those concerns are without foundation.”
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Either way after he is out of office it is likely more such personal benefits from his actions will come out. The fact he stays in his own hotels has to be on that list. Along with the use of his hotel in DC
@Craic_a_tower: get a life. It bothers you where he sleeps?
@Rocky Loveridge: Get a life – it bothers you that it might bother @Craic_a_tower where he sleeps?
@Gavin Conran: I shouldn’t have said get a life, that was wrong and insulting of me
Still though, an Irish fella annoyed at the president of America for staying in one of his own hotels is outright bizarre
@Rocky Loveridge: It doesn’t particularly bother me what he does. If it indicates corruption and profiteering from his position I will point it out. He is making a profit out of this. It isn’t they rent one room but entire floors for all the staff. Pence staying in Dunbeg is very suspect. If you don’t understand the concept that is your problem. Only meeting people who book enough rooms in his hotel in DC is a long running allegation. Simply put it is kickbacks
@Rocky Loveridge: trump staying in his own hotels isnt the issue. Trump charging his Secret Service protection detail to stay in his hotels is the issue.
Every time he stays at one of his hotels he profits from it.
@Rocky Loveridge: If Michael D owned a chain of hotels globally, and when travelling only ever stayed in his own properties, sometimes going hours out of the way to enrich himself at the cost of millions to the taxpayer – would you find that an acceptable thing?
I wouldn’t – so I can, therefore, relate to this story.
There was a report recently enough that showed that Trump has spent nearly a third of his presidency visiting his own properties at the taxpayer’s expense.
@Gavin Conran: That’s 362 different trips to his own properties at the tax layers expense since he took office.
Then of course when his officials travel they too have to all stay at Trump properties, again further enriching himself.
Personally, i am not outraged by any of this – bit i do think it is taking the piss and so can understand why anyone would be.
@Kendra Jackson:
How do you know he charges for his security? I’m sure he knows what he’s doing, after all he doesn’t take a salary, he donates it to various charities, I’m sure his security detail stays for free, at the cost to his hotels, unless you have different information or proof otherwise?
@➕The Gray➕: You would be wrong they pay that is why it is an issue. Why would you think his hotel would put anyone up for free? There are numerous reports on the costs. He charged his own election campaign for using his hotels.
@➕The Gray➕: here’s something to indicate how much he profits from the US military using his resort near Prestwick airport in Scotland https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/trump-turnberry-resort-singled-out-in-airport-s-pitch-to-us-military-1-5011598
@Craic_a_tower: And its the taxpayer who foots the bill
@Rocky Loveridge: you’re clearly missing the bigger picture. Do we really have to point out the bleedin obvious
@➕The Gray➕: Yes the Secret Service are charged when they have to use Trump properties
https://money.cnn.com/2017/10/12/news/secret-service-mar-a-lago/index.html
@Rocky Loveridge: Time to switch on the brain Rocky
@Craic_a_tower: He won’t be out of office for quite a long time Mr hide your name.
This crusade against Trump by the mainstream media is really exhausting.
@Mike Conway: they are reporting facts. Just because it makes him look bad doesn’t make it a crusade. If you are exhausted by it just ignore it like you ignore reality
@Mike Conway: Says deleted account Mike Conway.
Trump could order a Burger and chips and the Dems would say it’s an impeachable offence, it’s not gonna happen.
@➕The Gray➕: Trump is now in bigly trouble.You will have to now pray, Gray
@Tom Doyle:
The last administration destroyed Libya, killed it’s leader and in doing so facilitated a 21st century slave trade resulting in Obama receiving a Nobel peace prize.
Yet all the liberal and leftist melts lose their minds over a phone call, sorry, but there’s a better chance of you getting impeached than Trump.
@➕The Gray➕: Obama derangement syndrome
@➕The Gray➕: “there is a better chance of you getting impeached than Trump” – you do know that the Democrats control the House of Representatives :-) try to keep up,Gray
@➕The Gray➕: “destroyed Libya…resulting in Obama receiving a Nobel prize”. IN fact Obama intervened in Libya in 2011. He got the 2009 Nobel prize.
@Tom Doyle: But the Republicans control the Senate.
@➕The Gray➕: killed Gaddafi? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Muammar_Gaddafi really?
@Shane Russell: in his twitter he says “soy boys beware” and here he has a japanese kamakazi pilot as his avatar, even though the japanese diet is rich in soy. Hahaha rofl.
Typical idiocity of the far right.
@Darren Byrne:
Yeah, really…
https://youtu.be/6DXDU48RHLU
@Shane Russell:
Yeah I get that a lot, one day I’m accused of being a Zionist bot, Russian bot, now a Ukrainian, just waiting for the Leprechaun bot tag. I see there’s lots of Jussie Smollett fans on here too. This story is right up there with that, mind you.
@Tom Doyle:
And the one that matters, the Senate???
Anyways, have a think about this, maybe even look it up…like I said previously, Pelosi and the Dems are being played…do keep up.
https://twitter.com/TheGray1776/status/1177318522977947649?s=09
@Lionheart1: Was Clinton impeached >yes ,he was.Who impeached him > the House of Representatives
@➕The Gray➕: you said “but there’s a better chance of you getting impeached than Trump.” < it is the House Of Representatives that impeach the president ;-) Do try to keep up,pet
Trump derangement syndrome is in overdrive. The dims will do anything to deflect from Biden’s (and Obama’s by association) corruption.
@Jack Simpson: Says the people who removed Bill Clinton for have a one off office fling, Trump has broken the law and if you think he is above the law it speaks volumes about you lets face it.
@Peter Hughes:
Clinton lied on TV to the American people, that’s why he was removed. Not for the fling. Get your fake facts right.
@Peter Hughes: Sorry? Broken the law? Pray tell how? How Peter?
@➕The Gray➕: Clinton was not “removed”. He served out his entire term. How do you like that fact?
what a nonsense!, not even one word in transcript about:
Initiate or continue an investigation into the activities of Joe Biden’s son;
Assist in purportedly uncovering that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections originiated in Ukraine; and
Meet or speak with Giuliani and Barr on these issues.
@Born to be wild!: What a very odd way to be blind
@Born to be wild!: It wasnt a transcript that was released. It was a summary. How about you read the fekin article before jumping the gun?
@Craic_a_tower: Having read a lot of your comments Mr Tower I believe your Trump syndrome has reached a dangerous level.
“ I was not a witness to most of the events described… However, I found my colleagues’ accounts of these events to be credible”
Perhaps the most telling in whistleblower report…
Teflon Trump
@➕The Gray➕: How is Tulsi not already a legend in the Democrat Party? She should walk right into that nomination. A lot of Trump supporters would vote for her. But the DNC would rather destroy her. America’s loss. She could unite the country again.
@➕The Gray➕: so what a Republican tries to say it is no big deal and people agree with her.
@Burn_the_Witch:
Exactly. She made a show of Harris last time round, Gabbard doesn’t tow the corrupt Democrat line by the looks of things.
Say what you like, there’s political genius at work in asking Ukraine to take the hit for hacking the DNC. If he could have “demonstrated” that absolutely everybody else was wrong to blame Russia – and the base might’ve believed it, coming from both POTUS & Zelenskyy – the door to the Dictatorship’ll open. Sanctions lifted on Russia & preferred trading partner status as an apology. Get rid of the IC. Open embassy in Pyongyang. Claim back the 2 years lost thru Mueller: Election 2022. Ban all media except Fox & OAN from Federal events. ICE reinforced by the Army. Build the wall and imprison any who mention Mexico paying. Feel free to add to the list.
@Brendan Moriarty: Ehhh what?
have your say