Cancellation of vaccination programme disgraceful

Health Minister Mary Harney

Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin described as “disgraceful” the decision of Health Minister Mary Harney to cancel the planned programme of HPV vaccination against cervical cancer.
 Deputy Ó Caoláin said:
“The decision to cancel this vaccine programme which is designed to prevent the development of cancer in women is another attack on public health by a Minister and a Government whose stewardship of our health system has been disastrous.
“This public health programme is now among the first to go on the grounds of cost. Yet the Budget left intact the tax breaks for the developers of private hospitals and the Government’s discredited private hospital co-location scheme. This is where savings should be made – not on programmes that will enhance the health of women and prevent much greater cost in the future both in terms of the well-being of individuals and the cost to the health service of treatment.”