(Photo: Rob van Dullemen).
Leiden, 15 January 2023, 11:53 am by the editors
From 6 February young men and women aged 19 to 27 can be vaccinated free of charge against the human papillomavirus (HPV) by Hecht GGD Hollands Midden. The GGD will soon open various HPV vaccination locations across the region for this purpose.
HPV is highly contagious and can cause cancer in areas including the mouth and throat, penis, anus, vagina, labia and cervix. An HPV vaccination protects against these six types of cancer. Only in 2023 will HPV vaccination be free for this age group. After this year, the costs are for your own account.
In January and February 2023, RIVM invites everyone who was born between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2003 and has not yet or not fully been vaccinated against HPV. Teenagers are already offered the HPV vaccination free of charge as part of the National Immunization Programme. Those born before 1996 can have themselves vaccinated against HPV via their GP or GGD at their own expense.
Contageous
Someone who has the HPV virus usually does not notice it. The virus is very contagious: eight out of ten people become infected with HPV one or more times in their lives. Both men and women can get it. The virus is transmitted through the hands, skin or mouth during sexual contact. The body usually clears the virus itself within two years. If that doesn’t happen, cancer can develop later in life. Vaccination greatly reduces the risk of cancer from HPV. Vaccination is also useful for those who are already sexually active. The vaccination protects against future infections.
Appointment
Via www.hpvafspraak.nl or 0800-1608 young adults can schedule an appointment. For good protection, two injections are needed, with six months in between. That is why it is important to plan the first shot (well) before the summer. Only then can both required injections be obtained free of charge in 2023.
Vaccination locations
Hecht GGD Hollands Midden will soon open HPV injection locations in Alphen aan den Rijn, Gouda, Katwijk, Leiden, Lisse, Noordwijk, Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, Roelofarendsveen and Schoonhoven where young adults can get vaccinated. This is only possible by appointment. More information is available www.ggdhm.nl/hpv-jongvolwassenen.
Countryside
Research shows that young adults know little about the possible consequences of the HPV virus and the vaccination. That is why RIVM started a national campaign this month with the slogan: ‘Protected against 6 types of cancer with 1 vaccine’. Young people are urged to inform themselves well about HPV and the vaccination. Among other things, they can use the online HPV Selection Help.
