Demand for National Action Plan for HPV Vaccination

"HPV-related diseases - primarily cervical cancer among five other types of cancer - are preventable. We know what needs to be done. What is missing is a binding, nationwide action plan," said gynecologist Elmar Joura. The expert white paper "HPV Elimination in Austria" is a first, concrete step: "We have identified some measures that can be implemented immediately and in a coordinated manner," emphasized the scientific director of the presented white paper according to the press release of the event.

Significant Differences in Vaccination Rates for HPV Vaccination

Among other things, a vaccination invitation system, the expansion or reactivation of school vaccinations by school doctors, more vaccination sites in workplaces, better data tools like the e-vaccination pass, a structured HPV screening program, and an annual HPV report are being demanded. "We know where we want to go. Now it's about learning from experiences and adopting the recommendations of the experts," assured Katharina Reich, Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health.

There are significant regional differences in vaccination rates. "If we vaccinate with low barriers and actively invite, the rates increase. In Vienna, through school vaccinations and the public vaccination offer as well as cooperating stakeholders, we have achieved a vaccination rate of over 80 percent for girls aged 14. For boys, we are currently at just under 70 percent," said the Chief Medical Officer of the City of Vienna, Ursula Karnthaler. The federal capital aims to further increase these rates in the coming years.

Salzburg Lags Behind in HPV Vaccination, Boys Should Also Be Vaccinated

While Vienna has achieved an overall vaccination rate of 76 percent for 14-year-olds of both genders and it is 52 percent nationwide, Salzburg lags behind with 29 percent, as well as Lower and Upper Austria with 40 and 44 percent respectively. This is according to the online HPV cockpit of the vaccine manufacturer Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). Especially when it comes to vaccination, it is crucial to build trust and communicate appropriately to the target group, recommended Anita Rieder, Vice Rector and Head of the Center for Public Health at MedUni Vienna.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the goal that by 2030, 90 percent of all girls should be vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15. However, the vaccination is also important for boys, as it protects against penile cancer and, in both genders, against anal or oral cancer and genital warts. Women and men are equally likely to be infected with HPV - around 80 percent of all people are affected during their lifetime.

HPV Vaccination for 21- to 30-Year-Olds Only Free Until the End of the Year

According to the Austrian vaccination plan, immunization is recommended between the ages of nine and twelve and is also free of charge as a catch-up vaccination up to the age of 30. However, for those over 20, the offer is only valid until the end of the year. Therefore, to receive the second dose free of charge within the recommended six-month interval, the first dose should be administered in the coming days at a general practitioner or gynecologist or at other vaccination sites.

(Editorial note: GRAPHIC 0848-25) sws/nik

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.