Monaco’s Health Minister, Christophe Robino, is intensifying efforts to raise awareness and participation in the vaccination of adolescents against the human papillomavirus (HPV), aiming for an 80% vaccination rate among 11 to 14-year-olds. This initiative is integral to Monaco's broader public health strategy to combat future incidences of cancers caused by HPV, which include cervical cancer in women and other cancers in men affecting areas such as the ENT region, skin, and digestive tract. Robino's ambitious goal is to eradicate these HPV-related cancers in Monaco over the next two decades, promising a healthier future for coming generations.
The principality initiated its first school-based vaccination drive last year, achieving a 30-40% participation rate. While this initial response was encouraging, Robino stresses the importance of enhancing educational efforts to ensure that parents understand the implications of HPV, which can remain dormant for years and potentially lead to cancer later in life. The campaign underscores that the decision to vaccinate should be informed, not compulsory, focusing on public understanding of the long-term benefits of vaccination.
As part of the ongoing campaign, the government is offering free HPV vaccinations to adolescents, with provisions for individuals up to the age of 19 to receive catch-up vaccinations. Robino reassures the public about the safety and effectiveness of the modern, highly purified, and rigorously tested vaccines, emphasizing that while no treatment is entirely without risk, vaccination remains the most potent preventive measure against certain types of cancer. The renewed campaign seeks to equip Monaco's youth with the best defense against HPV-related health issues, aligning with the principality's health objectives.
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