To ask the Minister of Health to detail any collaborative steps being taken with other Departments to inform young people about the importance of regular cervical screening and cervical cancer prevention.

The Cervical Screening Programme is available to women registered with a GP, aged between 25-64 years old and Public Health Agency screening promotional activities target this age group.

In addition to the established Cervical Screening Programme, there is also an HPV vaccination school-based programme across NI which has been in place for girls in school year 9 since 2008 and was extended to include all boys in school year 9 from September 2019. Promotional material provided to the schools highlights that while the HPV vaccine reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer, it does not eliminate it and therefore anyone eligible called to attend cervical screening should still attend. Anyone who remains unvaccinated can request the vaccine, via their GP, up until they are 25 years of age.

The PHA collaborates with a number of relevant agencies to inform young people about the importance of cervical cancer prevention. These include:

Development of webinars to promote vaccination and educate teaching staff, young people and their parents on the benefits of the HPV vaccine, in collaboration with Cancer Focus, sporting bodies and NHSCT;

Development of social media resources for schools to promote HPV vaccine;

Communication to all schools via the Education Authority promoting the HPV vaccine among school staff as well as sharing resources above;

International Women's Day celebration event promoting HPV vaccine with Year 8-10 students;

World Immunisation Week celebration, including digital creator competition to promote HPV vaccine;

Provision of HPV vaccination catch-up clinics at universities, including promotion event during Fresher's week; and

Targeted school visit programme to five NI schools with lowest HPV uptake - talks and presentations given by PHA staff to school assembly

The PHA continues to monitor awareness, confidence and barriers to participation in cervical screening and continues to use this information to inform future promotional activities.