As of: March 26, 2024 12:57 p.m
The head of the Standing Vaccination Commission has suggested vaccinating boys and girls in schools against HP viruses. The professional association for pediatricians and adolescents doubts its feasibility.
The vaccination rate among young people is too low, said the chairman of the Standing Vaccination Commission, Klaus Überla, to the newspapers of the Funke media group (Sunday). Therefore, protection against infection with human papilloma viruses (HPV) must be offered in new ways. According to the Robert Koch Institute, more than 6,000 women and 1,500 men in Germany develop HPV-related cancer every year. Women are often affected in the form of cervical cancer. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), more than 1,000 women in Germany die from this every year.
AUDIO: World Day of Action against Human Papilloma Viruses (03/04/2024) (7 min)
Stiko: Vaccination is highly effective
HPV vaccinations could save lives in the long term, emphasized Überla. The tolerability of the vaccines is excellent and the vaccination is highly effective. “There is absolutely no reason not to do this vaccination,” said the virologist from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. According to the RKI, the vaccination offers the best protection when administered between the ages of 9 and 14. The vaccination can be done up to the age of 18. HP viruses are most commonly transmitted through sexual contact. That is why young people should be vaccinated before they are sexually active.
Pediatricians fear the public health service will be overwhelmed
The professional association of pediatricians believes that vaccination in schools makes sense in principle. Nevertheless, the proposal from the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) is unrealistic because the public health service is already barely keeping up with vaccinations. The Lower Saxony State Health Office relies more on schools for organization. If schools want to carry out vaccination campaigns, this will be supported, said a spokeswoman.
Vaccination rates for girls should increase to 90 percent
Among 15-year-olds in Germany, just over half of girls (54 percent) and just over one in four boys (27 percent) are vaccinated against HPV, according to data from the RKI. The WHO and the EU Commission have set themselves the goal of achieving a vaccination rate of at least 90 percent for 15-year-old girls by 2030 and a significant increase for boys of the same age.
RKI: Protection against cervical cancer is up to 94 percent
According to the RKI, several studies show that HPV vaccines can primarily prevent cervical cancer. Here the vaccination achieves protection of up to 94 percent. Infections with the easily transmissible human papilloma viruses are among the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide, it said. The vaccination can also protect against tumors in the genital area and anus as well as in the mouth and throat. According to the Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Association, an HPV vaccination can also help in young people if someone is already infected with a virus, just not quite as effectively.
HPV vaccines have been approved in Europe for a good 20 years
HPV vaccines have been approved in Europe for almost 20 years. According to the RKI, there are no known serious side effects that lead to problems. The usual reactions are pain at the injection site or fever. The dangerous thing about an HPV infection is that it is widespread, but on average only becomes noticeable after 10 to 30 years. There are also more than 200 types of HPV and no vaccine can cover them all. Cancer prevention remains important. But the risk is demonstrably lower, experts say.
Further information
When it comes to vaccination against the cancer-causing human papilloma viruses (HPV), Germany is far behind in international comparison. (09/06/2022) more
HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer. Statutory health insurance companies offer women aged 35 and over an HPV test for early detection. (02/07/2022) more
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NDR 1 Lower Saxony | Current | March 26, 2024 | 13:00 ‘O clock