Nearly 80 percent of girls and 65 percent of boys entering lower secondary school have been vaccinated against HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes several different types of cancer, and the HPV vaccine is the best way to protect against an infection. Nearly 80 percent of girls and almost 65 percent of boys born in 208 have been given the HPV vaccine. The data is from the National Vaccination Register.

“Girls have been getting HPV vaccinations for free since the autumn of 2013 and boys have been getting them since the autumn of 2020 as part of the vaccination programme. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, vaccine coverage for girls entering lower secondary school has improved in the past couple of years. Boys’ vaccinations are also off to a good start”, says THL Medical Specialist Anna Scherleitner. 

As vaccinations for boys started only last year, all boys in grades 5-9 are now entitled to HPV vaccinations. The series of vaccinations comprises two doses, and from the autumn of 2022 they will be offered both to girls and boys, usually in grades five and six.  However, the vaccine will also be available in lower secondary school. 

“According to research data, the HPV vaccine is safe and gives the best and longest-lasting protection against several different cancers if it is taken early enough. That is why it is best not to postpone it”, says Scherleitener.

Highest vaccine coverage in North Savo and Åland Islands

There are regional differences in HPV vaccine coverage. For example, in North Savo 85 percent of girls born in 2008 and 82 percent of girls born in 2009 have taken the HPV vaccine. In the Vaasa Hospital District, the corresponding figures are 71 and 66 percent. Vaccine coverage has nevertheless improved considerably in the Vaasa region, as it was under 60 percent for girls born before 2004.

Similar differences exist for vaccinations for boys. In the Åland Islands the vaccine has been taken by 75 percent of boys born in 2008 and 2009, while the corresponding numbers in Central Ostrobothnia are 53 and 57 percent.

In addition to North Savo and Åland, areas with some of the highest rates of vaccine cover for both boys and girls include East and South Savo and Southwest Finland.

In some municipalities, more than 80 percent of young people get the vaccine 

In Finland there are many communities where more than 85 percent of girls born in 2009 have taken the HPV vaccine. Kuopio, Siilinjärvi, Lieksa, Hanko and Kauniainen are included in this group.  In addition, Kouvola, Kirkkonummi, Pirkkala, and Sipoo, for example, have also reached vaccine coverage of over 80 percent.  

Of the large cities, the highest vaccine coverage for girls is in Vantaa, Oulu, and Tampere, where 74 percent of girls born in 2009 have been vaccinated for HPV. 

More than 80 percent of boys born in 2009 have been given the HPV vaccine in areas including Lieto, Paimio, Siilinjärvi, Lieksa, and Kauniainen. Vaccine cover of 70 percent has been reached in locations including Kuopio, Turku, Salo, Sipoo, and Vihti. 

Vaccine effectively prevents many different cancers 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes several different types of cancer, such as cancers of the oral cavity, the oropharynx, especially the base of the tongue and the tonsils, as well as the anus, penis, cervix, vagina, and vulva. In addition, HPV causes some of the cancers of the laryngopharynx, larynx, and other parts of the nasopharynx. 

HPV is spread through contact with the skin, and sexual contact. About 80 percent of people are infected at some time in their lives by HPV, exposing them to the risk of serious illness. 

The vaccine is about 90 percent effective in preventing cervical cancer and up to 95 percent effective against the precursors of cervical cancers caused by the two most common types of HPV. It is these types that cause most cervical cancers. The vaccine also protects against cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, and penis, as well as the head and neck areas. Research indicates that the series of vaccines probably also gives long-term protection, lasting several decades, or even a lifetime.

THL monitors HPV vaccine cover with the help of the National Vaccination Register. Because of problems related to the recording of vaccines and data transfer, the actual vaccine cover may be higher than the figures in the National Vaccination Register might suggest. THL works with municipalities and software suppliers to ensure that the vaccine cover figures are as accurate as possible.

Further information

Map presentation of HPV vaccine cover for girls and boys
(THL)

What is HPV? (in Finnish) 
(THL)

HPV vaccine (in Finnish)  
(THL) 

Anna Scherleitner
Medical Specialist
THL
tel. +358 29 524 8371
[email protected]

Ulpu Elonsalo
Head Physician
THL
tel. +358 29 524 8875 
[email protected]