Young adults can get an HPV shot without an appointment on Saturday | inland

04 March 2023 at 06:15

Saturday is HPV Awareness Day. That is why young adults can get an injection against the human papillomavirus without an appointment at the GGD. HPV can cause six types of cancer, including cervical cancer, penile cancer, and throat cancer.

Children receive an invitation for the vaccination in the year they turn 10 years old. In addition, RIVM wants to catch up. Young adults are also invited if they have not previously had the injection.

Usually, people who still want the vaccination later in life have to pay the costs themselves. But as part of the catch-up campaign, it is temporarily free for people up to the age of 27.

An appointment must be made for the vaccination. But on HPV Awareness Day, young adults up to age 27 can walk into 45 GGD locations across the country.

The vaccination consists of two injections that usually cost between 350 and 400 euros together. It is only free if young adults complete it before 2024. There must be at least five months between the first and second shots.

HPV is sexually transmitted. The chance that the vaccination will work is greatest if you have not had sex before. Nevertheless, the vaccination can still work very well at a later age, says head of the National Immunization Program Jeanne-Marie Hament. A total of 1.3 million young adults aged 19 to 27 will receive an invitation this year.

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