From July 1, the HPV vaccination will be available free of charge to young adults until their 30th birthday. So far, only about five percent of 21- to 30-year-olds have been fully vaccinated against HPV.
900,000 people who did not have the opportunity to receive the HPV vaccination for free at a young age can now do so. The campaign is accompanied by an extensive information campaign that will start in the autumn.
“Many young people simply could not afford the expensive vaccination. That is now a thing of the past. Health should not be a question of income,” emphasizes Health Minister Johannes Rauch. This arrangement applies until the end of 2025.
Up to 180 deaths per year
Every year, 130 to 180 women die from cervical cancer in Austria. More than twice as many people suffer from it and have to undergo complex cancer treatment. Yet only 53 percent of 14-year-olds have been vaccinated against HPV. For 15 to 20 year olds the percentage drops to 40 percent. Only five percent between the ages of 21 and 30 are fully vaccinated.
From 1 February 2023, the HPV vaccination will be available free of charge to children, adolescents and young adults from their 9th to their 21st birthday. The number of vaccinations has almost doubled since then. Health Minister Johannes Rauch now hopes for a similar development through the catch-up campaign: “This means that we can effectively prevent a lot of cancer, a lot of suffering and even deaths.”
From July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025, the HPV vaccination is free for everyone until their 30th birthday. The time of the first vaccination is relevant for participation in the campaign.
For full vaccine protection, two HPV vaccinations six to twelve months apart are recommended.
Source: Krone
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