On the initiative of the SANITAS Cancer Association and with the support of 13 organisations representing patients, a 'recipe' for how to effectively implement a universal HPV vaccination programme in Poland was submitted to the Minister of Health. The draft Health Prevention Programme, prepared in cooperation with a group of experts, responds to the most pressing issues and addresses the challenges, which, in addition to mere access to vaccination, are pro-health education and awareness of the importance of the problem.
HPV is not just cervical cancer
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for a number of diseases, including cancers, with cervical cancer at the forefront. As the experience of many countries shows, the most effective form of reducing their incidence, or in some cases, eliminating them, is population-based vaccination combined with education in this area.
Poland is the only country in the European Union that has not introduced a national HPV vaccination programme. However, the situation is about to change. The National Strategy for Oncology (NSO) assumes the implementation of HPV vaccination as early as 2021 and sets a target of achieving vaccination coverage among the adolescent population of girls and boys of at least 60%. In addition, free HPV vaccination is included in the government's new 'New Deal' strategy.
The way to implement vaccination has not yet been worked out, which is why patient organisations working for health and, in particular, for the reduction of oncological morbidity and mortality, have prepared a proposal, which was submitted to the Minister of Health at the end of May this year.
Vaccination and education must go hand in hand
By design, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine Prevention Programme aims to significantly reduce the incidence of cancer and other HPV-related diseases through access to universal, free vaccination and extensive education on primary and secondary prevention.
Patient organisations are calling on the Ministry of Health to take swift action in this area, as cervical cancer (Cervical Cancer) is the seventh most common malignancy among women in Poland. Almost 3,000 women hear this diagnosis every year, and half of them die.
The experience of European countries that have been vaccinating against HPV for more than a decade shows that high vaccination coverage of the target population, essential for HPV eradication, is achieved where national programmes are in place providing free access to HPV vaccination at the GP or paediatrician's office. An additional advantage of the proposed solution, is to ensure that vaccines from different manufacturers can be used to eliminate the risk of HPV vaccination not being available.
This is the best time for action
For many years, experts have been calling for a comprehensive programme to combat the HPV 'epidemic'. Vaccination is one of mankind's greatest civilisational achievements to protect the individual and invest in a healthy society. Properly implemented, HPV vaccination can be a spectacular public health success.
Patients' organisations' appeal to the Minister of Health: Proposal for a Health Prevention Programme for free HPV vaccination - sanitas
Source: medexpress.co.uk