“From now on, girls and boys can be vaccinated after they turn 9 until they turn 14, but we want to expand this program further. Vaccination is voluntary and free of charge, but the final decision rests with the parents,” said Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna during a press conference.
“We are starting a vaccination program against the HPV virus in primary schools. This is an important health and educational campaign,” added the Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka. She also emphasizes the role of parents and school principals in implementing this program – “We appeal to parents to register their children for free and safe vaccinations, which will take place in schools.”
Any primary school that has children between the ages of 9 and 14 (after the age of 9 until the age of 14) can apply to participate in the program. Parents or a legal representative must give their consent for the child to participate in the vaccination by signing an appropriate declaration. The presence of a parent during the vaccination is not required, but it is possible to authorize another person, e.g. a teacher, to accompany the child.
Vaccinations will be carried out by primary care staff, a doctor and a nurse, on school premises, in a place adapted for vaccination, e.g. a health prevention office. The coordination of vaccinations in the school is handled by the school principal or a person designated for this purpose by the school principal (school coordinator). Vaccinations will be carried out in cooperation with the relevant local education superintendents and the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station.
The Ministry of Health recommends organising vaccinations at least twice in each half-year, ensuring the possibility of vaccination with the first and second dose of the vaccine.
Dr. hab. n. med. Andrzej Nowakowski, Head of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Clinic at the Oncology Center in Warsaw, pointed to the positive effects of the vaccination program in other countries: “Both the English and the Swedes are already observing the positive effects of HPV vaccinations – women who were vaccinated as teenagers have about a 90% lower risk of developing cervical cancer. As a gynecologist, I see the consequences of HPV infections every day, in the form of human dramas, because patients often report with advanced cancers caused by this virus. Too many Polish women and men still die from the consequences of HPV infection. Not only because of cervical cancer. The HPV virus is also responsible for the development of other cancers, including: vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and head and neck. I am convinced that our program will bring a similar effect in Poland.”
Dr. Hab. n. med. Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas, national consultant in the field of family medicine, assured of full support from primary healthcare facilities: “I represent family medicine and I can assure you that primary healthcare facilities will cooperate in this program. I really hope that cooperation between directors, primary healthcare facilities and sanitary inspections will concern not only vaccinations, but all health education.”
On Friday, August 30, through the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Health sent an information package to school principals and education superintendents, which included letters from the Ministers of Health and Education, guides on the organization of vaccinations, and educational materials for students and parents.
We encourage you to read the materials gov.pl/hpv
Contact and support
If you have any questions or need additional support, please contact your primary healthcare provider, the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station or the relevant education authority.
Contact address for school principals and teachers at the Ministry of Health hpv@mz.gov.pl.
Answers to frequently asked questions will be posted on the website of the Ministry of Health under the tab: www.gov.pl/hpv.
