Free HPV vaccine from November 1

OSLO.Health minister Bent Høye and Director of the Public Health Institute, Camilla Stoltenberg : Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

All women born in 1991 or later can receive the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer for free from November 1st.

Health Minister Bent Høie participated Monday in a false start of the vaccine program at St. Hanshaugen clinic in Oslo with NIPH director Camilla Stoltenberg.

Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is spread by sexual activity and is very common.

Most people who are infected do not know they are because it usually does not cause symptoms and often goes unnoticed.

In a Norwegian study, approximately 45 percent of women who are 21 years of age had an ongoing HPV infection. Such infection may also increase the risk for both women and men to obtain other forms of cancer.

That is why the vaccine is now being offered free to all young women.

The project lasts two years and the vaccine is given three times within six to twelve months. It protects against the two most common forms of cervical cancer.

Vaccination should be organized by the municipal health service.

Women who receive the vaccine are also recommended to participate in cervical program which is offered to all Norwegian women from 25 years upwards for examination of the cervix every three years.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today