Kosovo starts immunising boys against papyrus virus

From February, in Kosovo the immunization of boys with the anti-pilloma virus (HPV) vaccine will begin to be administered for girls last year.

At a media conference organised by the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Public Health, 10,000 girls have been vaccinated against the virus since the launch of the immunization process.

What is the virus (HPV)?

The neurox0 virus fragment is a sexually transmitted infection. Almost all sexually active people at a certain time of life are infected with this virus, but in most cases they do not show symptoms.

More than 200 species of viruses enter the HPV group. In most cases this virus does not cause concern, but infection with certain types can cause serious health problems and cancer.

HPV can touch skin, genital area and throat.

Presentations can help protect against HPV infection, but do not provide full protection.

In 2019, HPV is estimated to have caused 620,000 cases of cancer in women and 70,000 cases of cancer in men, according to the World Health Organization. HPV cancer cases can be prevented through early vaccines.

Health Minister Arben Vitita said that the launch of the boys' communication with HPV vaccine is an essential step towards preventing serious illness.

“HPV is a dangerous virus. Chances that can be caused by this virus make no difference, and the vaccine of boys is an extremely important step to protect them from future health consequences”, Vitita said.

According to him, HPV causes health problems among both boys and girls, as well as various types of cancers.

Kosovo last year introduced HPV vaccine into the immunization calendar. The vaccinated girls are 11-12.

The same age group of boys is intended to be recorded, said by the MSH and IKPK, whose representatives urged parents to sign up for their children.

Authorities announced that only have the doses of this vaccine been distributed on the country level, will be provided for free.

In parallel with the launching of the boys' immunization, the girls' vaccine will continue.

In 2022, Kosovo had secured the first doses of the vaccine, which is recommended but not mandatory.

Since the launch of this vaccine, Fetije Fetay, from the IKSHPK, said it was not reported in any case that had serious side effects.

Recommendations for HPV vaccines

According to a study done earlier by the organisation “Cancer Research”, headquartered in Britain, HPV vaccine reduces cervical cancer cases for almost 90 percent.

The World Health Organisation says HPV vaccines function better if they are managed before exposure to papyrus virus.

The Mayo Clinic in the United States says HPV vaccine gives the body a safe way to awareness of the HPV immune system. This means that it is easier for the body to clear the traces of the virus if a person is later infected with it.

Meanwhile, WHO recommends that girls between the ages of 9 and 14 be vaccinated with one or two doses. The same recommendation applies to girls and women aged 15 to 20.

O BSH, meanwhile, recommends two doses, at a six-month interval, for women older than 21.

A minimum of two doses remain necessary, and when possible, 3 doses remain necessary for those known to be compromised by the immune system or are infected with HIV”, the organisation's recommendations are said.

O BSH also says that in addition to vaccinating 9-14 girls before starting to be sexually active, it is recommended that boys be vaccinated when possible.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say HPV vaccine is not recommended for persons over 26 years of age.

But vaculation of people over 26 years of age and 45 can only be done at the doctor's recommendation.

“V Vaxina HPV brings little benefit to this age group, for several reasons, including that more people in this group may only have been exposed to HPV”, the CDC site says.

HPV vaccine in several countries' vaccination calendar

In some Western Balkan countries, HPV vaccine is in the mandatory vaccine calendar. The last one to enter the calendar was Albania, in November of the 2022 bit.

In September the same year, Montenegro had begun managing this vaccine.

Northern Macedonia has this vaccine in the calendar since 2013, and the vaccine is mandatory for group 12 to 26 and is given in three doses.

Serbia's vaccine calendar is also HPV. In this country, this vaccine is recommended to receive, but it is not binding.

The HPV vaccine is also given in Bosnia and Herzegovina, though not binding. / REL/