HPV: WHO Day of Action to Eliminate Cervical Cancer (November 17th)

The Austrian Cancer Aid and the Association for Gynecological Oncology (AGO Austria) are once again pointing out the importance of HPV vaccination as part of the “WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action” and are making the Bergisel Schanze in Innsbruck shine in “petrol”.

HPV vaccination: proven effective against precancerous lesions and six types of cancer

The introduction of the HPV vaccination was a milestone in the fight against cancer. It is proven to be effective against precancerous lesions and subsequently against six HPV-associated cancers (cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis and anus as well as cancers of the throat and larynx).

HPV vaccination: free from 9th to 30th birthday

For children, teenagers and young adults from their 9th to their 21st birthday the HPV vaccination is free. With a limited offer from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025, people between the ages of 21 and 30 can get the HPV vaccination free of charge. “With the extension of the free HPV vaccination up to their 30th birthday, around 1 million young people have the opportunity to effectively protect themselves against precancerous lesions and six types of cancer. “We once again appeal to the population to take advantage of this opportunity.” said Cancer Aid President Univ.-Prof. Dr. Paul SEVELDA. You can find an overview of the vaccination offers in the individual federal states at www.impfen.gv.at.

NEW: Questions and answers about “HPV” in the new expert video

Krebshilfe, AGO and Selpers are presenting a video series for this year’s WHO Day of Action in which the HPV experts Univ.-Prof. Dr. Elmar JOURA and Assoc.-Prof. Dr. Christoph GRIMM answers frequently asked questions. Cancer Aid CEO Doris KIEFHABER provides information about where the vaccination is available. “The short videos are played out via our social media channels,” says Kiefhaber. “We primarily want to reach young people and motivate them to get vaccinated. Thank you to the experts and Selpers for the great collaboration!” The video will be available from November 11th, 2024 at https://selpers.com/immunsystem/hpv-impfung/. “For anyone who takes their health seriously, the HPV vaccination is a must. Protect yourself and your loved ones by becoming informed and taking action.” so Dr. med. Iris Herscovici, managing partner of Selpers.

Information brochure “HPV vaccination against cancer”

The Austrian Cancer Aid has republished the free brochure “HPV vaccination against cancer” with financial support from the Federal Ministry of Health. The brochure is available free of charge at [email protected] and as a download at www.krebshilfe.net/services/broschueren

The WHO calls for a HPV vaccination rate of 90% by 2030

In August 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) passed a resolution calling for the elimination of cervical cancer and adopting a strategy for implementation. 194 federal states, including Austria, have agreed to the goals and, among other things, are committed to achieving a 90% HPV vaccination rate by 2030. “According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health, since the expansion of free vaccinations up to the 30th birthday, the number of vaccinations in the age group between 21 and 30 has increased almost tenfold – that is very encouraging.” “Unfortunately, Austria is still clearly behind the vaccination rates, which, for example, have already been achieved in Great Britain, Portugal or Denmark for a long time,” said AGO President Assoc.-Prof. Dr. Christoph GRIMM.

The Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck shines in “petrol” on November 16th, 2024.

Today, on WHO Day, buildings and landmarks around the world will be illuminated in the color petrol – the color of cervical cancer awareness – to highlight the importance of the HPV vaccination and the need to increase vaccination rates. On the initiative of AGO Austria and Krebshilfe, the Vienna Ferris Wheel was illuminated in “petrol” in 2021, the Graz clock tower in 2022, the Ars Electronica in 2023 and this year on November 16th. the Bergisel ski jump shines in “petrol”. “The illumination of the Bergisel ski jump is intended to attract attention and encourage many young people of both genders to get vaccinated.” said Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian MARTH, board member of the AGO, previous president of the Austrian Cancer Aid Tyrol and initiator of this year’s lighting campaign. “Our goal is a future without cervical cancer. WHO Day is an opportunity to educate and raise awareness. “The lighting of the Bergisel ski jump in petrol is intended to raise awareness of this.” said State Councilor MMag.a Dr. Cornelia HAGELE.

“We would like to thank AGO Austria for their many years of close cooperation on various projects, including the daily implementation of WHO Awareness Day,” so SEVELDA. “We are pleased to be sending out a visible signal in “petrol” together with 194 countries again this year.”

Press invitation to the photo session: November 16th, 2023 at 5:30 p.m., Bergisel Schanze, at the end of the run-out.

Photo session with:

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian MARTH, initiator of the “Bergisel Schanze” lighting initiative

Assoc.-Prof. Dr. Christoph GRIMM, President of AGO Austria

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Paul SEVELDA, President of the Austrian Cancer Aid

LR MMag.a.Dr.in Cornelia HAGELE

For questions:

Doris KIEFHABER, Managing Director of Austrian Cancer Aid

Tel. +43 676/5024372, [email protected]

Florian KLOTZ, Managing Director of the Austrian Cancer Aid Tyrol

Tel. +43 699/17259984, [email protected]