Vaccination of children against HPV infections in the 6th grade of primary school
Infection with human (human) papillomaviruses (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. The profession assumes that most sexually active people are infected with HPV at least once in their lives. The prevalence of HPV infections is highest in young people shortly after starting sexual activity (20-25 years). The infection mostly takes place without characteristic symptoms and signs, but it can lead to the appearance of various pathological changes in both women and men. In case of infection with less dangerous (non-oncogenic) genotypes, HPV infection can cause anogenital warts, throat papillomas and skin warts. Long-term infections with more dangerous (oncogenic) genotypes of HPV can cause precancerous changes and cancer of the cervix, buttock, vagina, vulva, penis and oropharynx.
Vaccination against HPV infection is an effective public health measure, as it prevents infection with the virus and the diseases it causes. HPV vaccination is safe, side effects are usually mild and transient. The effectiveness of the vaccine is greatest when the vaccination is carried out before the start of sexual activity, when the person has not yet been exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, it is recommended that vaccination be carried out in the 6th grade of primary school, as provided for in the national vaccination program. In Slovenia, vaccination of girls against HPV infection has been included in the national vaccination program since 2009, and vaccination of boys since 2021. Vaccination is carried out during a systematic examination in the 6th grade of primary school. Latecomers can also be vaccinated against the burden of compulsory health insurance. In the 2023/2024 school year, the vaccination program also included a free vaccination for boys during a systematic check-up in the 1st and 3rd year of high school, at which girls who are late can also be vaccinated. For all others, vaccination is available on a self-pay basis.
Ensuring a high level of vaccination against HPV is an effective measure that can lead to the elimination of cervical cancer and has a significant impact on reducing the burden of other diseases related to this infection. To achieve these goals, according to the World Health Organization strategy, it is necessary to achieve at least 90% vaccination of girls. Parents' awareness and the promotion of vaccination at various events in the local community contribute significantly to the increase in vaccination rates. Health workers and educational institutions, with the support of the local community, play a key role in raising awareness of the benefits of vaccination and help parents decide to vaccinate their children.
Vaccination against HPV infections describes the proportion of children who were 12 years old during the observed period and were vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine against HPV infection, calculated on the number of all 12-year-old children during the same observed period.
Percent (%)
Vaccination of children against HPV infections in the 6th grade of primary school is the ratio between the number of children who were 12 years old during the observed period and were vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine against HPV infection, and the number of all 12-year-old children in the same observed period.
When calculating the indicator, all children who meet the above-mentioned conditions and are registered in eRCO and have a temporary or permanent residence address in Slovenia are taken into account. Vaccination by municipality is shown according to the address of residence.
eRCO - Electronic register of vaccinated persons and adverse reactions after vaccination.
Data are published annually.
The indicator has been published since 2024.
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7. National Institute of Public Health. Vaccination against human papillomavirus infections [Internet]. [cited on 2023-11-13]. Available at: https://www.nijz.si/sl/cepljenije-proti-okuzbam-s-humanimi-papilomavirusi
eRCO does not have information about which class the child attends. Therefore, the indicator is recalculated for the birth cohort that turned 12 in the reference period. It is assumed that the majority of children from this birth cohort attended the 6th grade of primary school in the reference period to which the data refer (e.g.: for the school year 2021/22 or the reference year 2022, this is the cohort of children born from 1.1. to 31.12. . 2010).