The Cancer Society of New Zealand has launched a campaign
to encourage the uptake of the free HPV vaccine that
protects against six types of cancer. It comes after
concerns that childhood HPV vaccination rates have plummeted
during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Public health nurses
provide the HPV vaccine through school immunisation
programmes. However, due to the different Covid-19
lockdowns, approximately 45,000 young people have missed out
on the vaccine.*
The human papillomavirus (HPV)
vaccine protects against the strains of the HPV virus, which
can lead to cervical and anal cancer and most vaginal,
vulval, penile and throat cancers. The best time to be
vaccinated is around 11 or 12 years old. At this age, the
vaccine works best and provides long-term
protection.
Cancer Society Medical Director Dr Kate
Gregory says: “We are very fortunate that the HPV
vaccination is free in New Zealand. All tamariki – both
boys and girls – should have the HPV vaccine to protect them
from developing cancer in later life. We encourage tamariki
who have missed out on receiving the vaccination or didn’t
receive the full dose at school or kura to visit their
whānau doctor, GP or medical centre.”
The Cancer
Society has today launched a campaign to raise awareness
about preventing HPV-related cancers. In addition, it has
developed a toolkit for health promoters to spread the word
in community settings.
Nicola Hill, Chief Executive Te
Aho o Te Kahu adds: “HPV vaccination is
free, widely available, and effective in protecting against
a range of cancers. Being diagnosed with cancer is
life-changing for people and their whānau, and being able
to prevent cancer in the first place is ideal. Comprehensive
and equitable HPV vaccination coverage in Aotearoa is an
important way to protect the health of our young people, now
and into the future.”
For more information about
HPV vaccination: www.cancer.org.nz/hpv-awareness
The
Cancer Society campaign video is available here.
*Source:
Seqirus NZ (sole distributor of the HPV vaccine in New
Zealand).
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