HPV Vaccine to Be Offered at All Family Medicine Centres and Regional Hubs
Kosovo's National Institute of Public Health announces an expansion of HPV vaccination age groups, aiming to prevent cervical and other HPV-linked cancers.
PRISHTINA — Vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) will be offered at all Main Family Medicine Centres (QKMF) and regional public health hubs in Kosovo, following the Ministry of Health’s approval of an expansion of the age groups eligible for the programme.
According to Kosovo’s National Institute of Public Health (IKSHPK), referenced in a Telegrafi report at the end of March and updated notices in April, routine vaccination remains for children aged 11 to 12, while it will continue voluntarily for young people up to 26. People aged 26 to 45 may be vaccinated only on a clinician’s recommendation, based on individual risk assessment.
Wider Protection Against Cervical Cancer
HPV is one of the main causes of cervical cancer and is also linked to several other types of tumours. The national immunisation programme follows recommendations from the World Health Organization, according to which vaccination at an early age provides the highest protection.
IKSHPK has stressed that the broader age range aims to increase coverage in a country where, according to data published by public health institutions, the level of regular screening among women for this disease remains below the European average.
According to the institute’s notice, paraphrased in local media reports, the vaccine protects against the most dangerous virus types and is recommended as early as possible because the effect is greatest before exposure to infection.
Families seeking information about vaccinating their children can turn to family doctors at the nearest QKMF, where designated staff will perform the assessment and administer the doses. IKSHPK said it had secured the logistics and training for healthcare workers in all municipalities.
Patient organisations and the professional associations of oncologists in Kosovo have welcomed the expansion, stressing that increasing access in smaller towns can drive a long-term decline in new cervical cancer cases. IKSHPK is expected to publish periodic data on vaccination coverage during the year.
Source: Telegrafi, based on the notice from Kosovo’s National Institute of Public Health (IKSHPK).