Schallmeiner/Disoski on World HPV Day: HPV vaccination effectively protects against cancer and genital warts

Greens call for vaccination

Vienna (OTS) – “The HPV vaccine is the most effective protection against cancers such as cervical, penile, vulvar, vaginal, anal and throat cancer and genital warts. That’s why it’s so important that young people in particular are vaccinated against HPV at an early stage,” stresses the health spokesman for the Greens, Ralph Schallmeiner, on the occasion of World HPV Day on March 4th.

“The HPV vaccine is intended for all genders. Because not only girls, but also boys can be affected by an HPV infection and its consequences and unintentionally pass HPV on to other people. Since February 1 of this year, the vaccination has therefore been offered free of charge for everyone up to the age of 21. This is a great achievement for the health of young people,” explains Schallmeiner. Until the February 1st expansion, the HPV vaccine was only available free to children between the ages of nine and eleven. Health Minister Johannes Rauch and the Greens have expanded the offer and made free access to HPV vaccination possible for all young people up to their 21st birthday.

“Especially for young women, the expanded range of vaccinations is a particularly big and important success,” says Meri Disoski, deputy club chairwoman and women’s spokeswoman for the Greens. “With around 400 new diagnoses every year, cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women. 90 percent of cervical cancer is caused by long-standing infection with HPV, making it one of the few types of cancer that can be treated preventively. The HPV vaccination protects against such an infection and minimizes the risk of developing cervical cancer. With the expansion of the vaccination offer, we can not only improve the health, but also the quality of life of all girls and women in Austria.”

The health spokesman and the women’s spokeswoman for the Greens emphasize the self-determination of young people when it comes to vaccination: “From the age of 14, young people can decide for themselves whether they want to be vaccinated. Therefore we ask you: Inform yourself, get advice from your doctor and take advantage of this important vaccination offer.