The HSE says 42 thousand girls have been immunised against HPV which helps protect against seven out of ten cervical cancers.

84 percent of first year girls got all three doses of the vaccine last year.

The HSE says they don't yet have details of the reasons why the remaining 16 % didn't get the vaccine.

HPV stands for human papillomavirus, which is a group of over 100 viruses. The HSE reports that most people will get a HPV infection during their lifetime, from sexual activity. Most of these infections do not need treatment but they can cause genital warts and other skin infections.

In some women, however, HPV causes changes in the cervix that can develop into cervical cancer.

The organisation states that most girls will receive the vaccine at school by HSE immunisation teams. Some will be invited to attend a HSE clinic to get the treatment.