Starting in February, Kosovo will begin vaccinating boys against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), following the introduction of the vaccine for girls last year.
In a press conference organized by the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Public Health, it was announced that since the start of the vaccination process, 10,000 girls have been vaccinated against this virus.
Health Minister Arben Vitia stated that the initiation of HPV vaccination for boys is a crucial step toward preventing serious diseases.
“HPV is a dangerous virus. The cancers caused by this virus do not discriminate, and vaccinating boys is an extremely important step in protecting them from future health consequences,” said Vitia.
Last year, Kosovo included the HPV vaccine in its national immunization calendar. Vaccinated girls are aged 11-12 years old.
The same age group of boys is targeted for immunization, according to the Ministry of Health and the Institute of Public Health, whose representatives urged parents to vaccinate their children.
Authorities have confirmed that the HPV vaccine doses have already been distributed nationwide and will be administered free of charge.
What is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection. Nearly everyone who is sexually active will be infected with this virus at some point in their life, although most people do not show symptoms.
HPV includes more than 200 types of viruses. In most cases, this virus causes no issues, but infection with certain strains can lead to serious health problems, including cancer.
HPV can affect the skin, genital area, and throat.
Condoms can help protect against HPV infection, but they do not provide complete protection.
In 2019, HPV was estimated to have caused 620,000 cases of cancer in women and 70,000 cases in men, according to the World Health Organization. HPV-related cancers can be prevented through early vaccination.
