Free HPV Vaccinations at Rotterdam Central – Protect Yourself Against Cancer

To motivate young people to get the HPV vaccine, a pop-up vaccination location can be found this week in Rotterdam Central. Until Sunday, men and women from birth years 1996 to 2003 can get their first or second injection here free of charge and without an appointment. There is now a rush to get the first shot: there must be at least five months between the vaccinations. From 2024, young people will again have to pay for the costs themselves. “It is a golden opportunity to protect yourself against the HPV virus,” says Timo Boelsums, infection control physician.

Eight out of ten people become infected with HPV (human papillomavirus) one or more times in their lives. Usually the body clears the infection itself, but sometimes it doesn’t. Then the HPV virus can eventually lead to six different types of cancer, in men and women.

“HPV can lead to a long-term infection in some people. That long-term infection can then cause a change in cells, which leads to cancer,” explains Boelsums. “The most well-known cancer is cervical cancer, but the HPV infection can also cause other cancers, such as cancer of the anus, vagina, labia, penis and mouth and throat.”

However, those who contract an HPV infection do not realize this. The virus is asymptomatic and there is no treatment for it. “That’s why it’s so important to take the vaccine before you get infected.”

Catch-up campaign
The vaccinations are very effective and a large proportion of HPV cancers can be prevented with 2 injections. Thanks to the national catch-up campaign, both women and men from birth years 1996 to 2003 can get both shots for free this year.

The vaccine will be available for free until the end of this year. But, Boelsums emphasizes, because the injections must be given five months apart, young adults only have until mid-July to get the first and second injection for free. From 2024, they will again have to pay for the costs of the injections themselves, which amount to around 350 euros for both.

At Rotterdam Central Station, the GGD is therefore fully committed this week to getting the most out of the campaign. “The turnout nationally and in our region is a bit disappointing. But we do see that a vaccination location at Rotterdam Central, which is a busy place, has an effect. A lot of people haven’t gotten the shot yet because they don’t have time or are putting it off, but here they can just walk in and get one right away.” You only need to show your ID.

National vaccination program
For children up to and including the age of 18, the HPV injections are included in the National Immunization Program and are therefore free anyway. “HPV is transmitted through intimate contact, so you prefer to vaccinate before doing that.” But it has only been possible for boys to get an HPV vaccination since 2022.

“More and more scientific research has come about the vaccine and its effectiveness. In addition, men are also at risk of cancer due to an HPV infection, such as cancer of the penis or of the mouth and throat, ”explains Boelsums. “The second reason is that if you protect men against HPV, they can’t pass it on to their partners either.”

The vaccination location at Rotterdam Central is still there until Sunday. After that, young people have about three weeks to get their first free HPV shot. “The HPV shot is the only shot that protects against cancer.”