The draft normative act on the extension of free anti-HPV vaccination for girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 26, within the National Vaccination Program, was approved by Senate on Tuesday.
The project on free anti-HPV vaccination has passed by the Senate. Photo shutterstock
The legislative proposal was adopted by the Senate and received a favorable report in the Health and Family Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, to be submitted to the vote in the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies, a decision -making chamber in this legislative process.
“Romania has one of the highest rates of incidence and mortality by cervical cancer in the European Union. By this initiative, we align with European and global strategies and consolidate an efficient and accessible prevention system. It is an essential step for public health and for young generations.” – Ovidiu Cîmpean, PNL deputy, initiator
The draft law completes Law no. 95/2006 regarding the reform in the field of health, introducing the obligation to provide free anti-HPV vaccine for all eligible persons, financed from the state budget through the Ministry of Health.
The initiative is supported by over 80 parliamentarians from several parliamentary political formations, demonstrating a political consensus in favor of prevention and public health.
By adopting this law, Romania will take a concrete and brave step in the fight against a disease that can be prevented by 100%.
The first vaccination campaign, started in 2008
We recall that the first anti-HPV vaccination campaign was started in Romania in 2008 and it was a real disaster, anti-vaccine opinions and theories of all kinds leading to an extremely low immunization rate. The target group was made up of girls in the 6th and 7th grades, by vaccination performed in schools, and the vaccine coverage was only 2.6%.
In 2017, anti-HPV vaccination was introduced in the national vaccination program, the target group being the 11-14 year olds, family doctors returning the task of administering the vaccine, but only at the parents’ request. In 2020, anti-HPV vaccination was started for all 11-14 years in the national vaccination program, and in 2021 the age segment was extended up to 18 years. During this time the supply of vaccine had problems, the situation being directed only towards the end of the period. In August 2023 a Government decision was adopted on the compensation of the vaccines, and from December 2023 the compensation scheme actually started to apply, the vaccine can be purchased from pharmacies and administered to the family doctor. Moreover, for the age category 11-19 years, the boys were introduced, the vaccine being 100% compensated, also from December 2023 defending a new category of beneficiaries of compensated anti-HPV vaccine, namely women between 19-45 years (compensation 50% of the price).
After the implementation of the clearing system, an increase in the vaccination rate was also seen, although the figures are not impressive today.
According to IMP data, between January 1, 2020 – September 30, 2024, at least one dose 201.242 persons (in category 11 – 15 years, the vaccine is administered in two doses, from 15 years being required). Of these, 184,327 are women, 125,121 receiving the vaccine before implementing the compensation (most administrations, over 80,000, were in the age category 11-14 years, who benefited from the DSP vaccine, followed by category 15-18 years-over 41,500, by people 19-26 years-1,643; 27-45 years-978; – 43).
