Health Minister Simon Harries labelled it "a major milestone."
The HPV vaccine will soon be available to boys in secondary school for the first time.
Health Minister Simon Harris has this morning announced a roll out of the vaccine to extend it to boys from September onwards.
Vaccines save lives. Taking important steps over next month:
1) expanding hpv vaccine for boys, 2) launching new vaccine alliance to promote vaccination next month, 3) attending global vaccination summit to work with other countries, 4) passing all party motion in dail in Sept— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 27, 2019
Girls have been able to get the vaccine in schools since 2010.
Simon Harris says it is part of the Government's strategy to eradicate cervical and other HPV cancers.
"Today, for the very first time, we are announcing that from September we will offer the HPV vaccine to all boys in first year in secondary school along with all girls," said Minister Harris.
"This is a crucial step if we want to effectively eradicate HPV cancers in Ireland and I would encourage all parents to visit immunisation.ie for information in relation to this vaccine."
The #HPVvaccine is now available to all 1st year secondary school students.
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer @roinnslainte explains how the vaccine can #ProtectOurFuture & save lives.#GetTheFacts https://t.co/j8rd1zwaCX @HSEImm @HSELive pic.twitter.com/3L5jehcZf4
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) August 27, 2019
"The HPV vaccine is a safe vaccine, it is a vaccine that has been tested internationally and nationally.
"It is a vaccine that saves lives, we actually have a vaccine now in our country that can help to prevent cancers.
"I would really encourage all parents to get their child vaccinated and we will effectively eradicate cervical and HPV cancers in our country within a generation."
