[Podcast] Close GGD Hollands Midden started HPV vaccination for 19 to 27-year-olds

More than 400 young men and women received a vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) on 6 February. It was the first day on which Hecht GGD Hollands Midden vaccinated young adults aged 19 to 27 against HPV. HPV is highly contagious and can cause cancer of the mouth and throat, anus, penis, labia, vagina and cervix. Vaccination protects against these six types of cancer. Or, as Nigel Bax (19) from Hoogmade, who came to get the shot, says: “Vaccination can prevent a lot of problems.”

Only in 2023 can young adults born between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2003 who have not yet been (fully) vaccinated receive the HPV vaccination free of charge from the GGD. After this year, the costs for HPV vaccination for this age group will be for your own account. In the Hollands Midden region, about 61,000 young adults receive an invitation letter. Men in this age group are receiving this call for the first time.

Auke Brongersma (21) from Leiden immediately made an appointment: “It is good for your future health. Better safe than sorry!” Daan Heijne (23) from Leiden is also there on the first day of the test: “I only see advantages in it. Everyone can contribute to society in this way.” Noa Turenhout (19) from Sassenheim thinks: “I think it’s good to do it, but you have to get behind it yourself.” Nienke Keulen (19) from Leiderdorp was the first to receive the HPV vaccination in Leiden: “I didn’t get the shot at the time. Now I thought: I’ll get it because it’s free. I received the letter and immediately made an appointment. An appointment at 4 p.m. is perfect after lectures.”

First injection before July 1
An appointment can be made at www.HPVafspraak.nl at a vaccination location of your choice. Two injections are required for good protection. There must be at least six months between the two injections, but longer is also possible. It is important to plan the first shot before July 1, 2023. Only then can both vaccinations be achieved in 2023. Anyone in doubt about vaccination can visit www.HPVkeuzehulp.nl.

HPV vaccination locations for young adults in Hollands Midden
The first HPV shots in the Hollands Midden region will be given this week at the permanent corona vaccination locations in Alphen aan den Rijn, Leiden and Gouda. HPV vaccination locations will also open in the course of the month in Katwijk, Leiden-Noord, Lisse, Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, Noordwijk, Roelofarendsveen and Schoonhoven. When making the online appointment, you can choose a location yourself. Vaccination is only possible with an appointment. See also: www.ggdhm.nl/hpv-young adults.

HPV is highly contagious
Eight out of ten people become infected with HPV at least once in their lives. Most people do not notice an infection. As a result, HPV can easily be passed on undetected during sexual acts such as making love or touching intimate places. Usually, the body clears the infection on its own within two years. If that does not happen, cancer can develop later in life, both in women and in men. 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.

Part of the National Vaccination Programme
Girls have been offered the HPV vaccination in the National Immunization Program since 2010, in the year they turn ten. Since 2022, teenage boys have also been invited, because research has shown that men can also get cancer from HPV. This year it’s the turn of teens born in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2013. They will automatically receive an invitation for the HPV vaccination from March, see also www.ggdhm.nl/hpv. With the one-off catch-up campaign for 19 to 27-year-olds, young men who have not previously been invited and young women who previously refrained from a vaccination or only received one shot will only have the opportunity this year to get the HPV vaccination free of charge.