HPV – human papillomavirus – can cause, among other things, cervical cancer.
But for almost 20 years, there has been a vaccine that has given hope of eradicating the virus and thus the cancer form in Sweden in the near future.
Last autumn, a research project was extended where all women born between 1994 and 1999 were offered free vaccination against HPV.
It's a staggering thought that we have a vaccine that can eradicate a cancer form, says Elin Ljungqvist, who is the national screening coordinator at the Regional Cancer Centre.
"Good pace"
So far, only two regions – Värmland and Kalmar – have reached over the 70 percent limit, which is calculated to be required to achieve herd immunity.
Several other regions are, however, very close with two months left of the free period.
I think almost the whole country will reach the goal, says Joakim Dillner, who is a professor of infection epidemiology at the Karolinska Institute.
Stockholm and Skåne, which both have around 50 percent, are pulling it down a bit. But we're still at around 58 percent for the country already now.
Joakim Dillner estimates that the vaccination rate when the project ends on June 30 will be between 65 and 70 percent.
New recommendations
Last autumn, a new recommendation from the Public Health Agency also came about, stating that everyone up to 26 years old – regardless of gender – should be vaccinated.
This could give the final push in the right direction, hopes Joakim Dillner.
Since 2020, all boys in grade 5 have been offered the vaccine. But this group, 17–26 years old, is completely unvaccinated, he says.
So if it lands on around 65 percent, vaccination of boys and young men can help achieve herd immunity at full protective levels.
For now, however, it's about completing the project with women born between 1994 and 1999.
Elin Ljungqvist urges those who have not yet received the shot to book an appointment in good time.
Before we knew it would be extended last autumn, we saw a huge rush towards the end. And then there were actually some who didn't get an appointment, she says.
So that's why we're urging those who want to get the shot not to leave it to the last minute.
HPV – human papillomavirus – is a very common virus that exists in many different variants.
HPV can be transmitted through all types of sexual contact.
The infection usually heals on its own, but certain types of HPV can cause cell changes that can develop into cancer, for example in the cervix.
Vaccination against HPV is included in the childhood vaccination program and is offered to all children in grade 5.
Women in certain ages are called to provide samples to detect cell changes in the cervix at an early stage.
Source: 1177.se.
