No rush to get a free HPV vaccine: “many think they are fully vaccinated”

50,000 women born between 1994 and 1999 are now offered a wider and better vaccine that protects against more HPV viruses and thus reduces the risk of cervical cancer.

Since the vaccination campaign began five weeks ago, 360 women have been vaccinated in Scania, including about 30 in Helsingborg and Angelholm.

We were hoping for more.

– Many of the women we interviewed think they don’t need to be vaccinated because they’ve already been vaccinated, but this also applies to them, says Lena Monson.

Wider vaccines provide better protection

Skåne’s investment is part of a national research project aimed at eradicating cervical cancer. In Sweden, school-age vaccines have been offered to girls against HPV since 2012 and to boys since 2020, but for some years there has been a significantly better vaccine that protects against more HPV viruses.

What should you do to get more people to accept the offer of vaccination?

– We will continue to inform and make sure that we are ready for those who want to come here, says Lena Monson.

HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer. About 550 women in Sweden are affected each year by this form of cancer, and nearly 150 women die annually, according to the Region of Skåne.

In the clip above, you can hear why Julia Svensson chose to vaccinate