One of the most threatening high-fatality-rate gynaecological tumours can be prevented with the HPV vaccine, Minister of State for Health Gábor Zombor said at a Budapest press conference on Wednesday, at which he announced that 7th grade girls will be offered free vaccinations against the disease.
Mr. Zombor said parents should make full use of the opportunity, which is available to 45,000 girls in the specified age group at a cost to the state of 1.2 billion forints (EUR 3.8 million). He added that if parents and teachers support the complex screening programme and the vaccination, the disease could be eradicated in Hungary within the next few decades.
The goal is for every eligible girl to receive the vaccine and there are sufficient stocks available, Mr. Zombor said, adding that 1,450-1,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Hungary every year and the number of fatalities is around 400.
Judit Paler, Hungary’s Chief Medical Officer, said at the press conference that cervical cancer is the main cause of death among women aged 15 to 45. She added that given the generally positive attitude towards vaccinations in Hungary, most of those eligible will hopefully choose the vaccine, which is recommended, but not compulsory.