Free HPV vaccination for less than 30 year olds-permanent solution required

The catch-up campaign of the HPV vaccination remains free of charge until June 30, 2026. The Federal Youth Representation (BJV), the HPV vaccination association now! And the Austrian University of Applied Sciences (ÖH) continues to demand long -term admission to the vaccination program. “The HPV vaccination is the only vaccination that can protect against cancer. For us, it is clear: the need for vaccination remains beyond 2025, because Austria is still well below the WHO target of 90 percent,” explains BJV chairman Anna Schwabegger.

Permanent admission to the vaccination program is necessary

Florian Boschek, chairman of the HPV vaccination, now!, Emphasizes: “The current extension enables more young people to take advantage of vaccination protection. The fact that the vaccination rate has increased tenfold since the start of the campaign alone shows the large and still existing needs.” For example, over 130,000 HPV vaccinations have been registered in the age group of 21 to 30 year olds for almost a year.

HPV vaccination must not be a monetary question

According to the Austrian vaccination schedule, the HPV vaccination is recommended for both young men and for women up to the age of 30. It offers demonstrably effective protection against certain malignant diseases, including cervical cancer, and is an important part of health care. But with costs of over 600 euros-depending on the federal state-the vaccination represents an enormous financial hurdle for many. “In particular, young people in training or at the beginning of their professional career can simply not afford a vaccination of several hundred euro.

The speakers of BJV, HPV vaccination now! And ÖH agree: the HPV vaccination for less than 30 year olds should be permanently included in the free vaccination program, accompanied by low-threshold vaccs. “The Federal Government must treat HPV vaccination as what it is: a life-saving measure of cancer prevention-and no luxury goods,” concluded the speakers.