The health and social security ministries announced on Friday that free access to the HPV vaccine would be rolled out to young people aged 21–26 who were not vaccinated during adolescence, in accordance with the Superior Council of Infectious Disease’s recommendations. Previously, the vaccine was free for all young people aged 15–20.
Two doses of the vaccine will be administered, with a six-month interval between doses. This can take place at regular GP practices. For women, the vaccination does not replace the cervical cancer screening process: a pap smear is recommended every three years beginning at age 25.
“The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection for genital organs”, wrote the ministries. The majority of infections may disappear spontaneously, but some may “evolve into cancer, notably for the cervix, anus, external genital organs, or the throat”. This renders vaccination “the most effective measure to prevent the majority of cancers linked to HPV”.
In Luxembourg, one in two adults are not fully vaccinated by the age of 20. This is more common among young men, who are frequently less vaccinated than young women.
According to the Superior Council of Infectious Diseases, “vaccination is most effective when it is administered between the ages of 9 and 14".
