Free HPV vaccination in Polish schools. Who will they be available for?
The Ministries of Health and Education have jointly announced the launch of a nationwide HPV vaccination programme in schools. The initiative aims to address the low uptake of the free vaccine, with only 20% of eligible children in Poland having received the jab to date.
At a joint press conference held by the Ministries of Health and Education, Minister Izabela Leszczyna announced plans to organise HPV vaccinations in schools. The decision to participate in the programme will rest with school headteachers, while Primary Health Care centres will administer the vaccinations. The vaccinations are both free and voluntary. Offering the option to vaccinate children at school is expected to provide significant convenience for parents, as it eliminates the need for visiting a clinic, where the vaccine will also remain available.
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HPV vaccinations in schools
HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer, which accounts for over 10% of all cancers diagnosed in women in Poland. The virus is also linked to the development of several less common cancers, including those of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and head and neck. As HPV is transmitted through sexual contact, vaccination is most effective when administered before a person begins being sexually active. Free vaccinations are available for children aged 9 to 14.
Will school vaccinations improve HPV vaccine uptake?
Free HPV vaccinations for children under 14 have been available in Poland since June 2023. However, as Minister Izabela Leszczyna noted during the recent press conference, only 20% of eligible young people have been vaccinated so far. One contributing factor to this low uptake is the influence of far-right anti-vaccine propaganda.
Under the previous Minister of Education, PrzemysĆaw Czarnek, HPV vaccinations were not permitted in schools, as he was reportedly preoccupied with concerns about the so-called "sexualisation of children." Unfortunately, these personal ideologies took precedence over essential cancer prevention efforts.
The decision to introduce HPV vaccinations in schools was welcomed on social media by the Sexedpl Foundation, which commented on Instagram: "Itâs officialâfree HPV vaccinations are now being offered in schools! Weâre proud that our pilot vaccination programme in Warsaw primary schools last April has helped pave the way for such groundbreaking changes. Make sure your school joins the programme, and if you have any questions about HPV and vaccination, feel free to contact usâour experts are ready to help."
Foundations dedicated to cancer care, including the Alivia Oncofoundation, have also advocated for implementing school-based HPV vaccination programmes.
