Politics

McGrath ‘united’ with Harris on HPV issues despite ‘different views’

Alan Kelly: Position ‘extremely damaging’ to the promotion of vaccine campaign

‘We [him and Mr Harris] have different views but we are very united in the whole issue of public safety and the safety of the vaccines,’ Minister of State Finian McGrath said. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times

Hajar Akl
Mon Sep 4 2017 - 10:43

Finian McGrath said he is "united" with the Minister for Health on the HPV vaccination despite them having "different views".

Mr McGrath, the Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues, caused controversy over the weekend after he said he stood over previously expressed opposition to the vaccine.

However he performed a U-turn on Sunday over his opposition to the HPV vaccine used to prevent cervical cancer when he told Minister for Health Simon Harris, that he now supports a Government campaign to encourage the take up of the vaccine.

Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Monday , Mr McGrath said he only intended to have "debate and discussion" surrounding the vaccine and that it is his "duty as an independent member of the Oireachtas to constantly challenge all decisions and represent views of parents that have concerns."

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He added that he will always accept the views of top medical professionals in the country.

Mr McGrath said his “personal choice” would be to get the vaccine but that parents have a “democratic right” to ask questions about it.

“We [him and Mr Harris] have different views but we are very united in the whole issue of public safety and the safety of the vaccines,” he said.

Mr Harris released a statement on Sunday saying Mr McGrath had given assurances that “he supports the new campaign to encourage parents to avail of the HPV vaccine which saves lives”.

The new campaign to promote a vaccination programme for schoolgirls at second level was launched last week.

Labour party health spokesman Alan Kelly told Morning Ireland "it's not clear" whether Mr McGrath is fully behind the campaign.

"As a minister in the Department of Health, the amount of commentary that he has now generated over the last few days is completely irresponsible for somebody in his position to generate," he said.

Mr Kelly said he found it “extraordinary” that Mr McGrath would have a different position to that of the Minister of Health regarding the vaccine.

Uptake of HPV vaccination dropped from 87 per cent to 50 per cent in the space of two years. Mr Kelly said Mr McGrath’s position has been “extremely damaging” to the promotion of the campaign.

“His position within the Department is becoming quite questionable because he is not on the one page with his Minister and that needs to be sorted out,” said Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly said as part of the Government, Mr McGrath has a responsibility to “stand behind government policy.”

“It shouldn’t have happened. . . It’s not acceptable. It’s irresponsible particularly when you’re dealing with young girls lives,” he said.

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