Vienna (OTS) – December 4th, 2023 – Today the Austrian educational association “HPV vaccination now!” handed over the petition of the same name to expand the HPV vaccination program to the Austrian Minister of Health Johannes Rauch. With 36,619 signatures, the petition sends a strong signal for the demand to expand the vaccination program up to the age of 30. The demand is supported by the largest youth representatives, the Federal Youth Representatives and the Austrian Students’ Union, as well as medical organizations: www.hpvimpfung.jetzt
Florian Boschek, the chairman of the “HPV vaccination now!” association, emphasized the importance of this initiative and the financial hurdle for young people: “An HPV vaccination costs over €660 for people over 21 – this is simply unaffordable for young people.
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Despite strong recommendations from the National Vaccination Committee and the fact that more than a million people up to the age of 30 have not had a free opportunity to receive the HPV vaccination, only 5% of the age group between 21 and 30 have been vaccinated. HPV, a common sexually transmitted disease, affects over 80% of the Austrian population at least once and can lead to serious illnesses. In Austria there are more than 400 new cases of cervical cancer and over 1200 cases of cancer in the neck and throat area every year, affecting both women and men.
The association sees the health reform that has just been passed as an opportunity for young people and emphasizes that sexual health should not be unaffordable. “Young people have a right to prevention and protection from sexually transmitted diseases. The current healthcare reform offers a good opportunity to ensure this protection and make sexual health accessible to everyone
“, so Boschek.
The association thanks all supporters and appeals to the Austrian Minister of Health to seriously examine the urgent problem and take appropriate measures quickly.
Questions & Contact:
Florian Boschek
Chairman HPV vaccination now!
board@hpvimpfung.jetzt
+43 680 30 59 350