A PrEP clinic has recently opened in the college. The drug PrEP (pre-exposure Prophylaxis) is now available to all students through the college health service. PrEP is a drug that can be taken to prevent HIV for any person who is already negative for the virus.
This news is another example of the college’s steadily improving sexual health services. It was recently revealed that college health and the Students’ Union ordered a total of 57,000 condoms in 2024. These condoms are freely available across campus.
The new PrEP clinic will help widen the availability of the drug across the country and prevent the spread of HIV. As it stands, there are only thirteen public PrEP clinics in the country. Each of these providers have a waiting list onto which anyone seeking PrEP is placed, resulting in many people at higher risk for the infection waiting months to avail of the drug.
One Dublin clinic reported that they had over 1000 people on their waiting list at any given time.
PrEP is proven to be the most effective combatant against the transmission of HIV, being 99 per cent effective when taken correctly. It is a pill that must be taken once a day. It is recommended to men and transgender women who have sex with men, who are at higher risk of transmission.
The service will be completely free of charge. Any students with a PPS number can avail of the service and medication for free. Students without a PPS number may still access the college service for free but will need to purchase the medication themselves.
Anyone who wishes to start PrEP must make an appointment with College Health. To make an appointment, you can call College Health reception at one of the following numbers: 01 8961591, 01 8961556, 01 8968555.
