Anyone born between 1996 and 2003 can now get the shot that protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV) — and therefore against cancer — free of charge until June 1, 2024. That was actually possible until the end of this year, but the outgoing cabinet has attached five months to the free period. Outgoing State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (Public Health, ChristenUnie) confirms this on Thursday through a spokesperson, after reporting of RTL News.
About 20 percent of the 1.3 million people who qualify for it have now received the shot. A “reasonable” result, said the spokesperson, “but it could have been more”. At least four out of five people get HPV at some point, through sex. In almost all cases, the body clears the virus, but sometimes it stays longer and damages cells, which eventually different forms of cancer and can cause genital warts.
For complete protection against the HPV virus — which annually causes cancer in 1,500 Dutch people, including 1,100 women — two injections are required. The extension of the free period should give young adults who have only passed the first shot time to also get the second shot. There should be at least five months between vaccinations. Those who get their first injection before Christmas can therefore still be fully vaccinated before the free injection locations close. After 1 June, one injection costs 200 euros again.
Read also: Young people get a shot against cancer – a ‘small effort’ and ‘it can’t hurt’
A version of this article also appeared in the August 18, 2023 newspaper.
2023-08-17 15:04:38
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