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Vaccination against cancer suffers from corona aftermath

Vaccination against HPV is free in schools.(Bild: Scharinger Daniel)

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

(Bild: Ordensklinikum Linz)

Corona has lost its horror, but the after-effects are particularly strong in other diseases, or more precisely in the fight against them: vaccination skepticism has reached a peak! Especially when it comes to immunizing children.

This is striking in the case of measles - before coronavirus, more than 95% of one-year-olds had received the first and 58% the second part of the vaccination; now the figures are 75% and 45% respectively. These figures are still a long way off when it comes to immunization against "love cancer", i.e. the human papillomavirus (HPV). These are responsible for cervical, penile and anal cancers, as well as cancers of the mouth and throat.

Vaccination coverage should be twice as high
"Around 2000 Austrians, more than 300 Upper Austrians, develop these types of cancer every year," says Professor Martin Burian from the Ordensklinikum Linz. Although vaccinations have been free of charge for all children from the fifth grade up to the age of 21 since last year, the vaccination rate for this age group is only 40 percent - the aim is to reach 90 percent. Cancer Aid would like to see the free HPV vaccination extended up to the 30th birthday.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

Almost everyone gets infected during sex
The vaccination is recommended for girls and boys and is also offered - on a voluntary basis - in the first years of secondary school and grammar school. "The first sexual contacts often begin at this age. 80 percent of all people become infected in the course of their lives - especially during sexual contact. That's why immunization before the first sexual intercourse is so important," explains Burian, who is taking tomorrow's "International HPV Vaccination Day" as an opportunity to speak out against vaccination scepticism: "It is a vaccination that is used millions of times, is tolerated without any problems and protects against many types of cancer."

Professor Martin Burian calls for more acceptance.(Bild: Ordensklinikum Linz)

According to VP Health Minister Christine Haberlander, around 17,000 doses were vaccinated in Upper Austria last year. Everyone under the age of 21 needs two doses, older people three doses for full protection: "Since the extension of free vaccination up to the age of 21 a year ago, the number of doses given out has increased."