Health will invest 1.9 million euros in the acquisition of 42,712 more vaccines against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). They will serve pto guarantee the protection of minors for the next two years. There are two doses and The vaccination schedule includes it at age 12, in the pediatric check-up of that age and in which they are also tested for meningitis A, C, W and Y. Until now Estremadura It restricted it only to girls, but since last January it has also incorporated this puncture into the vaccination schedule for boys.. It has done so following the recommendations of the Public Health Commission, which decided to protect children as there is scientific evidence that this virus, in addition to being linked to the development of tumors of the cervix (the most common), vulva and vagina, can also lead to cancer of the anus, penis and oropharyngeal (which occurs in the mouth, tongue, pharynx and larynx).
Extremadura will begin vaccinating men against HPV in January
However, until 2023, even if the vaccine was not financed for men, Yes, there was a recommendation to put it; but it had to be the parents who bought it in pharmacies, with a prior medical prescription. However, it was never well received. Pediatricians have attributed this to two reasons: first, that society has not yet assumed that this vaccine is also recommended for children; and the second, its high price. Each dose is around 150 euros and two are needed for children under 15 years of age and three for those over that age.
This low acceptance could be the reason that this year, the first year that men are financed, is the first time that coverage has not reached 90%, as was usual. According to data provided by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Of the 10,874 boys and girls born in 2011 and who have turned 12 in 2023, only 8,053 have come to be vaccinated; That is, only 74% of the target population has been protected. However, the regional Executive recalls that this figure is expected to rise during the Christmas holidays: «Traditionally, the coverage of this vaccination exceeds 90%. The year has not yet ended and many parents take advantage of the school holidays to update their children’s vaccination status. “We hope to reach coverage of more than 90%,” the Board points out. In 2022, when only girls received this jab, 87% were protected.
19,356 minors until 2025
It is precisely on this usual high coverage that the forecast for this latest vaccine acquisition has been made, since they have been purchased with the objective of 100% immunization. of boys and girls who turn 12 years old between 2024 and 2025 (those born in 2012 and 2013, respectively). YesAccording to these calculations, next year 10,078 minors should receive it, to which another 9,278 will be added in 2025.
HPV can cause cancer of the uterus (the most common), vulva, vagina, anus, penis and oropharyngeal
On the other hand, another 4,000 additional doses have also been purchased per year intended for the vaccination of people with risk pathologies – WHIM syndrome (primary immunodeficiency), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection up to the age of 26, men who engage in risky sexual practices with men up to the age of 26, people in prostitution up to 26 years of age, women with a solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant up to 26 years of age and women with any treatment for high-grade intraepithelial lesions in the cervix of any age. For these people at risk, the complete regimen is three doses.
In addition to preventing the development of cancer, the vaccine protects against contracting a sexually transmitted infection. HPV is a common virus that is transmitted very easily: it is estimated that worldwide between 50% and 60% of people become infected during the first two years of sexual activity. The majority have a mild or asymptomatic course, but in some cases the virus persists in the body and can end up leading to a tumor.
2023-12-17 06:00:25
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