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Like all other GGDs, the GGD region of Utrecht will start vaccinating residents between the ages of 18 and 27 against the human papillomavirus (HPV) on Monday 30 January. The first injection is made at 9:00 am at location Utrecht on the Overste den Oudenlaan (the former casino).
All inhabitants of the target group who have not previously obtained all the necessary human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations will be given the opportunity to get vaccinated against HPV free of charge this year and will receive an invitation letter in January. In the Utrecht region, about 107,000 young adults born between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2003 have been invited. From week 2, they can schedule an appointment themselves at the GGD at four locations via www.hpvafspraak.nl or via 0800-1608 in the Utrecht region: Utrecht, Amersfoort, Veenendaal and Woerden.
HPV can cause cancer in the mouth and throat, penis, anus, vagina, labia, and cervix. HPV is a highly contagious and common virus, infecting eight out of ten people. The virus is transmitted through the hands, skin, or mouth when you have sex with someone who is infected. Because HPV is so common, the person you are with may be carrying the virus without knowing it. And then you can also get infected.
The body usually clears the virus itself, but sometimes it remains in the cells for longer and can develop (a precursor to) cancer years later. There are more than 100 types of HPV, including several variants with a high risk of cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are the most dangerous, together they cause about 70% of all cases of cervical cancer and the majority of other HPV cancers. The vaccine offered in the National Immunization Program and in this catch-up campaign protects against these two types. Vaccination also contributes to the protection of the entire population through herd immunity because the virus is less likely to spread. Every year in the Netherlands, an estimated 1,500 people get cancer due to HPV, about 1,100 women and about 400 men.