Family of Laura Brennan highlight importance of HPV vaccine on what would have been her 28th birthday

THE family of HPV vaccine advocate Laura Brennan is leading a campaign to mark her 28th birthday today by promoting use of the vaccine.

Laura Brennan died in March 2019 from cervical cancer, at the age of 26 years old. Following her diagnosis, she became an advocate for the vaccine, and was the face of a HSE campaign.

The Clare native worked for 18 months in the former Fermoy Medical Hall, now Sam McCauley's, before being headhunted by Brown Thomas.

She moved from Fermoy to work with Brown Thomas in Cork before transferring to Limerick's branch.

Her brother Kevin tweeted this morning, on behalf of her family:

"Today would have been Laura’s 28th birthday. As you all know, Laura dedicated the last months of her life to raising awareness and increasing uptake of the safe and effective HPV vaccine. She wouldn’t want us to miss this opportunity to remind people that this year’s students can now get the HPV vaccine in school. Look out for information packs and consent forms in schoolbags. There’s a lot going on this year but that doesn’t make the HPV vaccine any less important.

"The school teams are now visiting secondary school across the country to offer the first dose of the HPV vaccine to all first year students."

He added: "If you have a first year and you haven’t received your information and consent form yet, then be sure to ask the school when you can expect it. The vaccine saves lives. #ProtectOurFuture #ThankYouLaura".

The Taoiseach, Mícheál Martin, also remembered the campaigner this morning, tweeting: "Laura Brennan was an inspirational young woman who campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness about the HPV vaccine. The vaccine saves lives and is now available to all first year students #ThankYouLaura #ProtectOurFuture".

The HSE also renewed their appeal for people to get the vaccine, tweeting: "Today, we remember Laura Brennan on what would have been her 28th birthday. Laura campaigned for people to get the HPV vaccine that can protect them from the HPV. The vaccine is available to all first-year students. Get the facts, get the vaccine."