Adults can now get vaccinated against HPV also at pharmacies

TALLINN - In August, a new service will be added to pharmacies -- vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), and adults can come to get vaccinated at selected Südameapteek, Benu and Apotheka branded pharmacies across Estonia.

Vaccination against HPV is most effective at a younger age, before sexual activity begins, when a person has not yet been exposed to the HPV types covered by the vaccine. Vaccination of girls and boys aged 12-18 is largely carried out in Estonia by school nurses and is funded by the Health Insurance Fund.

"The HPV vaccine is an effective protection against several serious diseases. As the organizer of national vaccination, the Health Insurance Fund ensures free vaccination for young people aged 12-18, but adults can also protect themselves against serious diseases by getting vaccinated," Hanna Jäe, head of vaccination services at the Health Insurance Fund, said.

"Adults aged 19-26 may benefit from HPV vaccination," Piret Veerus, head of the women's clinic at West Tallinn Central Hospital and president of the Estonian Society of Gynecologists, said. "Vaccination between the ages of 27 and 45 may also provide some individual protection. Many adults may not have been exposed to all HPV types covered by the HPV vaccine, so vaccination may help prevent certain types of HPV cancer and other diseases. Therefore, vaccination in adulthood could be considered to ensure individual protection."

Adult vaccination against HPV is paid and has so far been offered mainly by vaccination offices at hospitals and private clinics.

Adults are vaccinated against HPV with two doses, the minimum interval of which is six months. The price of one vaccination at pharmacies is 147-150 euros. Vaccination services are offered at pharmacies by healthcare providers, mostly nurses who have received appropriate training. It is necessary to book an appointment in advance, more detailed information is available at vaktsineeriapteegis.ee. Persons with immunodeficiency need to be vaccinated with three doses.

Human papillomavirus can cause several forms of cancer in both men and women -- including cervical, vaginal, perineal, oropharyngeal, anal and penile cancer. According to the Estonian Institute for Health Development, over 200 cases of cancer are diagnosed in Estonia each year due to HPV, and in the last 25 years, for example, the number of cases of oropharyngeal cancer has quadrupled and the number of cases of anal cancer has doubled. Approximately 130 women in Estonia develop cervical cancer each year. The main cause of the disease is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through contact, including sexual contact. In addition to precancerous changes and malignant tumors, certain types of HPV cause condylomas -- wart-like skin growths, against which the vaccine also protects.

In addition to vaccination, the best way to prevent cervical cancer is to participate in screening, which allows doctors to detect HPV infection and precancerous conditions and treat them before cancer develops. All women aged 30-65 are invited to participate in screening every five years. In 2025, all women born in 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 are invited to participate in free cervical cancer screening. The aim of the screening is to detect precancerous conditions, so people should participate even if they have no complaints. Starting in August, women in the target group for cervical cancer screening will also be able to get a home test from pharmacies.

In addition to vaccination against HPV, pharmacies can also provide vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis, diphtheria-tetanus, COVID-19, and, again in the fall, influenza.