HPV vaccine free to 180,000 girls and women

HPV vaccine.Photo: Cornelius Poppe / NTB scanpix

For a week, 180,000 Norwegian women and girls who are 25 years or younger can receive a free Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine against cervical cancer.

The vaccine provides 90 percent protection against the two most common types of HPV that may cause cervical cancer, says NRK news.

The Public Health Institute (FHI) has sent out an SMS with information about the offer. Many health clinics have already received inquiries from girls and women who want to know more.
Their enquiries include when they can take it, how many times it needs to be taken and the interval between.

‘There are many who ask about it, especially when they are consulting with the doctor. In recent weeks, we have received a very high demand’, says manager Kari Jussie Payday at student health SiO Health.

FHI wish even more than the 180,000 who have received the offer could get the free vaccine.

‘Clearly, it’s a shame that we can’t offer it to everyone.Therefore, I think that those who do not get the offer and cannot afford to take it should become good at following up the screening program for cervical cancer’, says physician Margrethe Greve Isdahl at FHI.

FHI also desires that boys and men be offered vaccinations.

‘We also see HPV types that can cause cancer in boys which may be protected against if they are vaccinated. So we think they should also receive the offer.’

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today