The HPV vaccine which protects against certain forms of cancer is set to be extended to men up to their 22nd birthday.

Following its launch last year, the Laura Brennan HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Catch-Up Programme has offered free HPV vaccines to all boys and girls in second-level education. It was available to those who were eligible to receive the vaccine in school and who had not yet received it. From Tuesday, those newly eligible can register to get the vaccine at hpv.ie until December 31st. The scheme is also open to women up to the age of 25 who left secondary school without receiving the vaccine. [caption id="attachment_587117" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Credit: Getty[/caption] The HPV vaccine protects against the virus that causes approximately 90% of cervical cancers, 90-95% of HPV-related anal cancer and 90% of genital warts. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said on RTÉ Radio One: "It is by increasing HPV vaccination and screening among our population that we will finally reach our goal of eliminating cervical cancer in Ireland. "I'm also encouraging young men to take this opportunity to protect themselves against a number of cancers caused by HPV." The HPV vaccine is available free-of-charge through HSE vaccination clinics. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Minister Donnelly added: "The vaccine is free, it will be administered via the vaccination clinics and it's really important the vaccine protects men from several types of cancer, including mouth cancer, anal cancer, throat cancer. "Also men can pass the virus on to women through sexual contact. So, it's protecting women as well against cervical cancer and other cancers."

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