Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly (Brian Lawless/PA)
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has been honoured with the Laura Brennan Award 2024 in memory of the late campaigner who died from cervical cancer and championed the HPV vaccine.
The award was presented by the Irish Society of Gynaecological Oncology in recognition of “implementing the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme and his dedication and commitment to improving women’s health”.
Ms Brennan was presented with the inaugural award in 2018 a year before her death at age 26.
The award to the minister was presented at the Presidential Plenary Session of the International Gynaecologic Cancer Society Annual Global Meeting in Dublin.
HPV can cause cancer and genital warts. The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that causes nine out of 10 cervical cancers.
The vaccine has been offered to girls since 2010 as part of the school immunisation programme and was extended in 2019 to include boys.
The Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme was introduced to provide the vaccine free of charge to groups of people who were previously eligible to receive the vaccine in school and who had not yet received it.
Minister Donnelly said: “It is an honour and a privilege to receive the Laura Brennan Award today and I want to thank Laura’s parents Bernie and Larry for nominating me. This award stands in recognition of Laura’s incredible contribution to HPV vaccine awareness and her tireless advocacy for improved vaccine uptake.
“Laura was a true inspiration. Even when faced with a terminal diagnosis, she dedicated herself to ensuring that as few people and families as possible would have to go through the rigours of cancer treatment and end-of-life care as she did.
“Bernie and Larry worked with me and my department to roll out the Laura Brennan HPV vaccine catch-up programme and the result of that programme is that 11,000 additional young people received HPV vaccination. We know this vaccine saves lives. It is safe and effective and protects against the types of HPV that cause 9 out of 10 cervical cancers.
“Our work continues to ensure we eliminate cervical cancer, and we have set a target in Ireland to reach this goal by 2040. It is achievable and we know that young babies today will reach adulthood in an Ireland where this disease has been eliminated. HPV vaccination is a crucial part of this, alongside screening and treatment services.
“We must continue to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine and my Department and the HSE will continue to do everything necessary in working together towards elimination. Laura Brennan’s voice delivered the necessary change in Ireland on HPV vaccination and in honour of her legacy we will continue that work. Accepting this award today I’ll simply say, Thank you Laura.”
