“Record Breaking HPV Vaccination for Male Children in Andalusia”

The Andalusian Health Service, under the Ministry of Health and Consumption of the Junta de Andalucía, has financed for the first time this year the vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) for male children born in 2011 –until now it was only free for girls– and has broken records in Almería, at the head of the community together with Granada. 72% of the boys have received the first of the two doses for free during the first four months of the year, which means that most of them will be immunized before the end of the school year, according to David Moreno, director of the Strategic Vaccination Plan in Andalusia. As for girls, the figure stands at 80%.

The papillomavirus is one of the few that are associated with the production of cancer. It is normally acquired through sexual transmission, which is why vaccination is focused on adolescence. The most common cancer in women is cervical cancer, which is why since 2007 more than 90% of those who are turning 12 have been vaccinated. Research has progressed since then to determine that men can also develop cancer, mainly in the genital and oral areas –anus, tongue, pharynx, larynx, etc.–, which coincide with the routes of entry of the virus.

“Both men and women who have heterosexual or homosexual relationships can develop it. The condom is very useful and reduces the chances of transmission, but the virus circulates very easily, also through fluids. We insist on both vaccination and the use of condoms”, adds David Moreno.

20,000 Andalusian men

Thus, since January they began to vaccinate free of charge all those who were born in 2011, that is, those who are now twelve years old. At the Andalusian level, almost half of the children have received the first vaccine, specifically, 20,000, which represents 44% of the total. The margin to vaccinate extended until the end of this year, but in just four months enormous progress has been made.

The double dose has a price in pharmacies of around 400 euros. For those between the ages of 12 and 18, you do not have to pay anything and you can make an appointment at the health center itself. They can also do it if they are missing one of the two doses. For those over 18 years of age it is not publicly funded.

There are two reasons behind these very positive figures for the Ministry of Health and Consumption. The first, that it is a “pro-vaccination” community, as demonstrated during the immunization campaign against the coronavirus. Regarding Granada, historically it has been closely linked to school vaccination. “Professionals go to schools and administer them to the entire class,” says David Moreno.

What is HPV?

As indicated in the Strategic Vaccination Plan of the Department of Health and Families of the Junta de Andalucía, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that infects most people at some point in their lives, Usually through sexual transmission.

«In fact, it is currently the most frequent sexually transmitted infection both worldwide and in our environment, above others such as syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, chlamydia… The most important negative characteristic that defines this virus is that it It is one of the few that can cause cancer. The good news is that it can be prevented, ”they point out from Health.

In Andalusia, the Andalusian Health Service has been using the Gardasil 9 vaccine since April 2021, which provides protection against the nine most frequent types of papillomavirus in Spain, covering 90% of those circulating. When the Gardasil 9 vaccine is given between the ages of 12 and 14, the regimen is two doses, separated by at least 6 months. If vaccination starts after the age of 15, the regimen is three doses.

From Andavac they also indicate that “with the first sexual intercourse, unvaccinated people may or may not become infected. And in the case of becoming infected, they can be infected by one or several types of papilloma, but most likely not all (the 9) included in the 9-valent vaccine. Therefore, vaccination is recommended despite having started the first relationships.

Get vaccinated to travel

With the summer holidays just around the corner, many people from Almeria will choose to visit some corner outside of Spain. In most destinations they will not need to be vaccinated, but in others it is recommended or even mandatory. That is why David Moreno, director of the Strategic Vaccination Plan in Andalusia, recommends that Almeria inform themselves in case they need to receive a dose.

The right place to do so is the Almería International Vaccination Center, located on Calle Hermanos Machado in the capital. Its professionals guide those interested and offer them a telephone appointment to receive the information they need. Ideally, they should be administered a month and a half before traveling, explains David Moreno, but even if they are applied a few days before, “they are beneficial.” «May is a good month to make an appointment if you plan to do tourism in summer. In addition, the longer it is left, the more difficult it will be to get it », he concludes.

The telephone numbers available to make an appointment are 950759418 and 950759400 during business hours. It can also be requested through the website of the Ministry of Health of the Government of Spain. To successfully obtain this prior appointment, you must fill in a series of data related to your trip (destination, type of trip, duration and start of the trip).