24.10.24 – The vaccination rate against HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is shockingly low in Germany, even though the vaccination reliably protects against various types of cancer. Only around 47 percent of 15-year-olds in Germany are vaccinated; at 54 percent, the proportion of girls is significantly higher than that of boys. Experts blame a lack of knowledge about vaccination for the low numbers. The support association for cancer counseling in Fulda, represented by Prof. Dr. HJ Feldmann is taking action against this with an information campaign. Here, experts explain in an expert talk what the HPV vaccination is all about.
EAST HESSEN|NEWS brought those responsible for the information campaign at schools in the city and district of Fulda into the studio and interviewed them in detail. In the video interview they explain what the cancer vaccination is all about, why it is important and at what age you should get vaccinated. In conversation:
- Harald Persch, deputy head of the Fulda State School Office
- Ralph-Michael Hönscher, CEO of the East Hesse Health Network
- Dr. Ralf George, also a board member of the East Hesse Health Network
- Dr. Dorothee Hofmann, deputy head of the Fulda district health department
- Prof. Dr. HJ Feldmann, chairman of the support association for cancer counseling in Fulda
Harald Persch, deputy head of the Fulda State School Office. …Photos: O|N
Dr. Ralph-Michael Hönscher, CEO of the East Hesse Health Network. …
Dr. Ralf George, also a board member of the East Hesse Health Network. …
Dr. Dorothee Hofmann, deputy head of the district health department…
Prof. Dr. HJ Feldmann, chairman of the support association for cancer counseling in …
The facts in brief
To date, more than 200 HP viruses are known. 90 percent of sexually active people become infected with one or more of the viruses during their lifetime. Most infections go unnoticed. However, some of the HP viruses trigger cell changes. The skin and mucous membranes in the genital and mouth areas are affected.
Genital warts are harmless but unpleasant consequences of an infection with a low-risk type of HP virus. Carcinomas (cancer) on the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus and in the mouth and throat area occur decades after a (usually unnoticed) infection with high-risk types of the HP virus.
The currently most commonly used vaccine, Gardasil, protects against a total of nine HP viruses, including most of the high-risk types and two low-risk types. Studies in countries where the vaccination rate is higher than in Germany and where the vaccines have been approved for a long time show that HPV infection rates among those vaccinated have fallen dramatically. Since it takes between 10 and 30 years for an infection with a high-risk type to develop into carcinoma, there are no reliable figures yet on the actual lower numbers of cancer cases resulting from vaccination. The vaccines simply haven’t been around long enough for that.
What is known for sure is that HP viruses are highly contagious (skin contact is sufficient, it does not have to be sexual intercourse) and can cause cancer. The vaccination reliably prevents infection.
Further information in the video and below
(Federal Center for Health Education)
(BR24, media library)
and at EAST HESSEN|NEWS under and +++
