Parents in the north Co Dublin constituency who have a 12-year-old daughter in sixth class can take their child to one of four venues to receive the cervical-cancer vaccination free of charge. The service will be available on Saturday, 7 March, at centres in Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, and Lusk

Plans by Government to supply the vaccine free to schoolgirls across the country were abandoned following the Budget cutbacks. The vaccine is available free in 13 European countries and in Northern Ireland.

Since Christmas, Lusk GP Dr James Reilly has been seeking a way to bring the vaccine to his constituency. Now, he and four local businessmen have bought the shots and about 25 doctors in the area have volunteered to administer them free.

"This is a very important vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer," said Dr Reilly. "This cancer caused 70-80 deaths per year and many more suffer disability and infertility as a result of it."

"We have a vaccine against cancer, I never thought I would see it, and I can't believe we are not using it. It is a fact that if we had this around the country, 52 lives would be saved and 11 cancers could be prevented.

"One thing that bothers me as a doctor is that we are assessing the price of everything and we are forgetting about value. I have one patient, a young woman in her 20s, who last year lost her womb because of cervical cancer. It was most distressing."

The vaccine will be administered next Saturday at Balbriggan for Balrothery and Balscadden; Skerries for Milverton, Loughshinny; Rush; and Lusk, Corduff and Hedgestown. Follow up shots are to be given in four weeks and five months.

Forms and information packs will be available through primary schools and at Stacks pharmacy in Skerries.

"The fact that the local community funded it and 19 schools, parents' associations, teachers, doctors, nurses, and 300 children have indicated their demand for this vaccine should send a loud message to the Minister and this Government, and the Minister should take up the baton and continue this programme throughout the country," Dr Reilly concluded. (Source: Irish Times)