Only 52% of 14-year-olds in Austria vaccinated against HPV!

Only 52% of 14-year-olds in Austria vaccinated against HPV!

Wien, Österreich - In Austria, the HPV vaccination only makes a difference for 52 percent of 14-year-olds. This number is alarming, especially when you consider that the HPV vaccination represents the best strategy to prevent cervical cancer and another five types of cancer. On Monday evening, experts in Vienna presented recommendations for action and a national action plan for HPV-elimination . The scientific director Elmar Joura called for a binding Austria -wide action plan and emphasized the importance of a systematic approach to increase the vaccination rate.

The HSoclanören recommendations for action include a comprehensive invitation system for vaccination, expanding school vaccinations and increasing the vaccination in workplaces. In addition, an e-vaccination pass and a structured HPV screening program should be introduced to make clear progress. The goal is also the publication of an annual HPV report to promote public health. These steps are necessary because the vaccination quotas vary regionally: While 76 percent of young people are already vaccinated in Vienna, it looks less optimistic in other federal states - only 40 percent in Lower Austria, 44 percent in Upper Austria and even 29 percent in Salzburg.

vaccination rate and differences

Another point that was initiated for discussion is the difference in the vaccination rate between girls and boys. This is 80 percent for girls, while boys only reach 70 percent. The Austrian action plan aims to close this fissile and reach the WHO target brand, which provides that 90 percent of girls are vaccinated up to the age of 15 by 2030. According to a WHO report, around 60,000 women are affected by cervical cancer annually in the European region, which also includes Austria, 32,000 die. Who> also informs that the HPV vaccination is a decisive factor in combating this cancer.

But how safe is the HPV vaccination? The Robert Koch Institute gives the all-clear: Until 2022, over 500 million vaccine doses were administered, without serious undesirable effects could be recorded. This vaccination is considered to be very safe, even if symptoms can occur in some patients at the puncture site or short -term circulatory reactions. Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe, confirmed the need for HPV vaccination as part of comprehensive health strategies.

The urgency of vaccination

An interesting fact: the free vaccination for 21 to 30 year olds ends at the end of the year. Therefore, young adults should act urgently and take the opportunity before it is too late. Elmar Joura again makes it clear how important it would be to draw more attention to the HPV vaccination in order to achieve the desired quota and thus save life. Each individual step in this direction could ultimately help to suffer fewer women from this avoidable disease.

Overall, there is a lot to do. The health authorities are called up to seriously implement the recommended measures in order to further strengthen the security barrier around HPV and to get closer to the goal of a HPV-free future. Because in the end the health of everyone affects all of us!