Reducing the risk of cancer

Prevention saves lives: HPV vaccination campaign for schoolchildren

Free vaccination campaign for all 9 to 30-year-olds.(Bild: APA/dpa/Stefan Puchner)

Effectively minimize the risks of HPV infections: Free vaccination campaign for the younger generation in Lower Austria reduces the risk of cancer by up to 90 percent.

A small prick can reduce the risk of cancer by up to 90 percent. At least as far as HPV vaccinations are concerned. This is because human papillomaviruses (HPV) are among the most common sexually transmitted infections and are the cause of numerous cancers such as cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is particularly effective at a young age, which is why the province is offering free vaccination for schoolchildren aged nine and over (until December 31, 2025).

Provincial Councillor Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister, public health officer Elisabeth Hecher-Korinek, Provincial Councillor Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig with pupil Helena Dreitler(Bild: Jürgen Mück)

Around 80 percent of people are infected with HPV in the course of their lives. In order to ensure the broadest possible cancer prevention for young people, the free HPV vaccination campaign has now been extended to the 30th birthday, explain Provincial Councillors Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig and Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister. 

Infections are passed on unnoticed
"The HPV vaccination campaign is generally offered free of charge to schoolchildren. First of all, the young people are informed in detail about the infection, how it spreads, how it is transmitted and its effects, and thus about the background to timely vaccination against HPV. In many cases, the risks of HPV are hardly known to the younger generation," says public health officer Elisabeth Hecher-Korinek from the district administration of Neunkirchen.