Free HPV vaccination: Schallmeiner warns of under vaccination in boys!

Free HPV vaccination: Schallmeiner warns of under vaccination in boys!

On the occasion of tomorrow's World HPV tag, health policy voices in Austria call up to use free vaccination offers. Ralph Schallmeiner, the health spokesman for the Greens, emphasizes that all young adults aged 21 to 30 years until the end of 2025 have the opportunity to make up for the HPV vaccination free of charge. "By December 31, 2025, people of this age group can catch up with the HPV vaccination free of charge," he explains, referring to the enormous encouragement of the population: The number of vaccinations in this age group has almost tenfold since the introduction of the catch-up campaign. It is crucial to pass on information about vaccination, as it can reduce the risk of HPV-associated diseases by up to 90 percent. This includes in particular the risks of cancer that can affect men, such as oral, throat or penis cancer, whereby Schallmein also appeals to parents of guys to use this health option.

most important information on HPV vaccination

The constant increase in vaccinations in Austria is promising: Since the introduction of the free HPV vaccination for children and adolescents from 9th to the 21st birthday in 2023, the number of vaccinations has doubled from 56,000 to around 106,000 per year. Nevertheless, it should be noted that only about 50 percent of 14-year-olds and just five percent of young adults between the ages of 21 and 30 are fully vaccinated. The World Health Organization (WHO) is aiming for a vaccination rate of 90 percent for girls to almost eradicate cervical cancer, a goal that countries like Australia have already successfully implemented. Schallmeiner emphasizes that the free provision of vaccinations is a central component to improve public health.

HPV can lead to serious illnesses. According to the information, it has been shown that the majority of people are infected with HPV at least once in the course of their lives. Many infections are symptomless and heal by themselves, but persistent infections can lead to cowardly warts or even cancer, in particular by the high-risk types HPV 16 and 18. In Germany, around 6,250 women and 1,600 men develop cancer, which is caused by an HPV infection. Painful interventions to remove HPV-related cancer precursors are often an inevitable measure if the disease is not recognized in time. Therefore, the clarification and motivation for vaccination is particularly essential, such as vacpen-info.de emphasized.