Zwolle – As of today, all young people between the ages of 19 and 27 can still have themselves tested against HPV, a virus that can cause cancer. The RIVM has sent an invitation to all young adults who have had no or only one HPV shot to get vaccinated. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause six different types of cancer.
19 to 27 years
At the beginning of 2023, more than 1.3 million young adults will have received an invitation from RIVM for vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV). It concerns about 900,000 men and 400,000 women aged 19 to 27. About half of the women in this age group have already been vaccinated at a younger age. HPV can cause cancer in the mouth and throat, penis, anus, vagina, labia, and cervix. The vaccine protects against these six types of cancer. That is why RIVM is starting a catch-up campaign for young adults in close collaboration with the GGDs.
Were you born between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2003? Then you can now make an appointment for the HPV vaccination. You do not have to pay for the vaccination. To be protected for a long time, you need two injections. There must be at least five months between the first and second shot.
Vaccination locations in Zwolle, Hardenberg and Deventer
About 40,000 young adults are invited in the IJsselland region. They can make an appointment for an HPV vaccination in Zwolle, Deventer and Hardenberg. The start is on February 8 in Hardenberg. Margot Baardse, staff physician GGD IJsselland: “With an HPV vaccination you can protect yourself against 6 types of cancer. Eight out of ten people come into contact with the contagious HPV. Fortunately, it doesn’t always make you sick. Usually your body clears the virus itself. But that doesn’t happen in 10 to 20% of people.”
Making an appointment is very easy
Everyone who was born between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2003 and has not had two HPV vaccinations will receive an invitation. With the invitation, they can make an appointment (free of charge only in 2023) for the HPV vaccinations via www.hpvafspraak.nl or by calling 0800-1608 (there must be at least 5 months between the two vaccinations). GGD IJsselland expects about 60% of young adults to be vaccinated. Information can be found at www.hpvkeuzehulp.nl.
