Free HPV Vaccination Extended Until Summer
By Alice Netinder
NEWS • The free HPV vaccination program for women born between 1994 and 1999 has been extended by an additional six months, now running until the summer of 2025. “At this pace, it’s possible to reach the 70 percent target before summer,” says Elin Ljungqvist, national screening coordinator at Regionala cancercentrum (RCC).
Currently, only the Kalmar and Värmland regions have achieved the 70 percent vaccination target of Sweden’s 21 regions. In Västra Götaland, the vaccination rate is progressing slowly, though the region is neither leading nor lagging. Three weeks ago, 47.7 percent of eligible women in the group had been vaccinated, a statistic that was highlighted by MIJ Today. As of today, the Västra Götaland region has reached 50.7 percent.
To achieve herd immunity, 70 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated. If the goal is met, Sweden could become the first country to eradicate cervical cancer through vaccination.
Folkhälsomyndigheten is recommending the HPV vaccine for everyone up to and including 26 years old. The aim is to provide more people with protection against HPV and thereby reduce the risk of HPV-related cancer.
While the progress remains slow, Elin Ljungqvist stays optimistic and believes there is a strong chance that cervical cancer could be eradicated with the new goal. “We see the target within reach. Extending the program until summer gives regions and women the opportunity to achieve it,” she says.
“Lack of knowledge”
Linn Vaghfeldt is a student and one of the women who has visited a vaccination center in central Gothenburg to receive the free HPV vaccine. She believes the reason so few women born between 1994 and 1999 have not been vaccinated yet is due to lack of knowledge.
“I thought I had already received the vaccine many years ago. It was only after I read a news article about this initiative that I realised I needed to take a new dose.”
What do you think about this initiative?
“I think it’s great that the vaccine is free. I believe many choose to come here because it doesn’t cost anything.”
In the map below, you will find data on how many people have received the HPV vaccination in each region of Sweden. The current map shows data as of 2024-12-09. The regions update the numbers every week, which are then collected and compiled by RCC.