. The anti-HPV vaccination, which protects you from the virus responsible for several types of cancer, including cervical cancer, is free in Romania for all children and young people between the ages of 11 and 26. The age has been increased since October 1, and doctors hope that this will increase the immunization rate and decrease the number of cases of cervical cancer.
Who can get the HPV vaccine for free in Romania
Initially, only children and young people between the ages of 11 and 18, regardless of gender, benefited from the free HPV vaccination. From October 1, the age was extended to 26 years.
“Extending the free anti-HPV vaccination to young people between 19 and 26 years old is a public health decision that can change the statistics on the incidence of cancers caused by persistent HPV infection in Romania. The vaccine offers real protection against the infections that are the basis of many cases of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, oropharyngeal cancer. We must turn this legislative opportunity into concrete actions: clear information, access to offices and support for people vulnerable”said Dr. Elvira Brătilă, president of the Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Romania, quoted by the website Formare Medicală.
The condition to benefit from the free of charge is that the patients are medically insured.
Who can make compensated HPV vaccine
Women between the ages of 27 and 45 are compensated 50% for this type of vaccine. The condition is the same: they must be medically insured. In the case of men in this age category, the vaccination can only be done against the cost. According to the manufacturers’ indication, the vaccine cannot be given even after the age of 45.
How to get free or compensated HPV vaccine
The steps listed by the Ministry of Health are as follows:
• medical consultation and obtaining the prescription (100% or 50% compensation, as the case may be);
• issuing the HPV vaccine from a pharmacy;
• administration of the vaccine in the office of a vaccinator
Prescribing doctors must be in contract with one of the health insurance companies. The actual vaccination can be carried out by doctors from several specialties: family medicine, epidemiology, infectious diseases, pediatrics and other doctors from other specialties who hold a vaccinology certificate.
Recommended age for HPV vaccination
The vaccine is most effective if it is given before the start of sexual life and exposure to the virus. Children and teenagers between the ages of 11 and 14 are the ideal target group. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between these ages the immune response is maximal and protection sets in up to 100% against infections with high-risk cancer strains.
The efficiency is also very high in the case of young people between the ages of 15 and 19, studies show.
Vaccination is also recommended after these ages and can bring important benefits.
For adults who have started having sex and contract the virus, the vaccine does not treat an existing infection, but it can prevent infection with other strains of HPV.
Romania has the highest incidence of cervical cancer in the European Union: 3,800 new cases and 1,800 deaths annually.
Vaccinating boys and men is very important because it prevents transmission of the virus to female partners. At the same time, it is also necessary for their own protection. HPV can also cause cancers that affect men, such as anal cancer, penile cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer.
