Cervical cancer vaccine program scrapped

Panda I think you're picking random points from what i'm saying to paint me as having a view that I do not.

I think cuckoo's questions are fair. I don't agree with the point she's making, but you have to encourage questions. Many places don't vaccinate their kids against Hep B. Some only offer it to high risk kids. It's a contentious vaccine at best, so the analogy in that particular case is perhaps flawed. But insert mumps instead, and I take your point.

When I talked about this not being a disaster, the point was made within a evry narrow and specific frame of reference...namely that this was a postponement, and not a cancellation....and that there would be catch up vaccines available soon. This point remains valid, and there is simply no evidence to argue the contrary.


I don't know what point you were refuting exactly with your suicide argument. I agree that public health is underfunded. I am patently aware that as a public health consultant I'll get paid half the normal consultant salary and will have a crappy departmental budget at my disposal. BUT, you still can't argue the 2 points you're making in the real world ie.....

No programme that we have the potential infrastructure and framework to deliver can impact on suicide withouth widespread structural reform within psych services, and the enormous investment that would go with it.

Similarly, if times are tough and we have to make tough decisions, the cervical cancer immunisation simply does not give you as high a return in terms of lives saved per euro......particularly if you're going to implement a catchup system at, say, age 14. You also have to bear in mind that the effects of a cervical cancer vaccine that get quoted are all in the absense of a screening programme. We have a screening programme getting rolled out.

The point about the consultants rather misses the point. Someone argued that we should cut consultants salaries to pay for the vaccines. I made the point that this is robbing peter to pay paul...ie if you did that primary health may get a temporary boost, but tertiary care would suffer. So, you may be less likely to get cervical ca, but if you do get it, your care will be compromised. That's not such a difficult concept to grasp, and it certainly has a place to be argued here.

Sadly, the situation as it stands (or as it appears to stand) is that there are no plans to re-implement the vaccine programme in the future.

I think THAT is a disaster.

edit: found info earlier in thread - sorry

pink fluffy bunny wrote: »

the real problem is ... the fact that you all keep voting Finna Fail back in.

Nail on the head. All those short-sighted, small-minded, gombeen fawning idiots who faithfully trotted out at the last election to return these mafiosi to power must bear responsibility for decisions such as this.

As the saying goes, in a democracy the people get the government (and by extension the policies) they deserve.

The outrage over this decision is typical. Perhaps we need a screening programme to deal with the collective FF supporter amnesia concerning the endemically corrupt, thieving, incompetent maladministration of 17 of the past 21 years.

Is the decision to scrap the cervical cancer vaccination programme really the first time the mafia party have given the collective finger to the people? The innumerable similar controversies associated with FF's particular brand of governance are forgotten as always.

Where has your anger been for the past 17 years? Where was your anger when you re-elected Harney, Cowan and company at the last election? We have been here many times before.

As with the furore created by the medical card decision the masses will be placated once again by a predictable Fianna Fail (sic) backwoods, backbencher "revolt" and a carefully choreographed climbdown. Indignant, rabble rousing cries of "we'll never vote for you again" will be heard from FF strongholds throughout the country.

However, once the sectional interests of those affected are satisfied the fawning die-hard FFers will once again cast their votes for the mafia party like the loyal sheep that they are: "To hell with the nation as a whole, my interests have been served, let's put FF back in power". Repeat ad finitum at every inevitable corrupt, short sighted, downright mean, penny pinching decision.

There's no point whinging and bickering amongst ourselves in the usual Irish manner. Direct your indignant and righteous anger (in which this country is sorely lacking) at the thieving criminals who have made this decision. Take your anger to the streets, to Leinster house. Demand the resignation of the government.

In Hungary in 2006 there were mass street protests and civil unrest calling on Prime Minister Gyurcsany to resign after he admitted his government had lied during the election campaign.

In Ireland we have scandal after scandal after scandal with our elected leaders giving the figurative finger to the populace and all we get is the characteristic Irish unquestioning, apathy.

As with the medical card move this decision is part of a greater policy of increasing privatisation of what used to be regarded as essential public services.

As with the decision to remove the concept of "universality" in medical card allocation to the over 70s, the decision to postpone (most likely permanently shelve) the HPV vaccination programme is about testing public acceptance of privatisation of health and other public services.

This decision is one of many made by this government which is ideologically driven. FF have succeeded thus far in masking their true neo-liberalist leanings using the convenient rather large fig leaf that is that bastion of corporate socialism Minister Mary Harney and the PDs. Incompetence alone cannot explain the terrifying inefficiency and wastage of resources associated with Harney's tenure as Minister for Health.

Her sole desire is to privatise all aspects of health care provision in this state, ensuring healthy profits for the likes of Sean Quinn and unhealthy, early deaths for those who cannot afford to buy into her free-market, health as a commodity future.

The decision in itself is not surprising, nor is it the most despicable that has been taken by this corrupt cabal of gombeen backwoods men and women. Don't assume that the gender of a minister dictates his or her capacity for compassion and/or corruption.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. FF have never had to pay the price for their crimes. Their cronies will vote them in again and again and again and again.

we all have to take responsibility for the state of the country

A noble aspiration but all know that some will be expected to take more responsibility than other, e.g. 12 year old girls, the poor, the disadvantaged, non FF voters etc.

Let's put a stop to it now. Let this decision be the line drawn in the sand.

In effect, this is what the government is saying to us:

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Nuravictus wrote: »

I dont know to be honest. it just said that it could be transmitted orally.

It can be transmitted through oral sex with an infected person.

Lots of people that carry HPV don't even know they have it because there are often no symptoms. It's scary.