Ash Bolt
Geelong teenagers are being encouraged to catch-up on their scheduled human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, with thousands of Victorian teens missing out on the vaccine in the last two years due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The most recent statistics from the NCIRS Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2020 show the proportion of Australian teenagers completing the two-dose HPV vaccination schedule within a calendar year was 11.6 per cent lower in 2020 than in 2019.
Cancer Council Victoria’s Head of Screening, Early Detection and Immunisation Kate Broun said the HPV vaccine was provided free as part of the secondary school-based immunisation program, usually when children were in Year 7.
She encouraged Geelong parents and guardians to check the HPV vaccination status of their teenagers.
“The impacts of COVID-19 have seen many children miss attendance at school over the last two years and parents may not have realised their child is yet to complete their HPV vaccination schedule,” Ms Broun said.
“Coupled with the ongoing effects of a large number of people infected with COVID-19 and/or in quarantine, we anticipate that more eligible children will miss HPV doses this year.
“Unfortunately, other medical issues don’t stop because of COVID-19. During what is already a difficult time, it is incredibly important that people look after their own health and the health of their loved ones.
“While HPV might not seem like a priority now, COVID-19 should not prevent us from taking the best possible care of our children and protecting their future.”
