Promotion of vaccination against HPV infection at the national level

Abstract

In Croatia, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is recommended and free of charge at the national level since the academicyear 2015/2016. In previous years, vaccination against HPV infection was voluntary and free of charge in particular units of regionalor local self-government. In the academic year 2017/2018, vaccination against HPV infection is free and voluntary for primary schooleighth-grade students and children of the same age not attending school. School doctors in Croatia are virtually the only professionalsperforming vaccination. Vaccination against HPV infection is the only voluntary and free vaccine available in the Republic ofCroatia for the entire generation of students. We have to ask ourselves whether we have ensured the right to receive HPV vaccination,which is voluntary, for all parents and students if they have not been informed about this possibility. Educational meetings for parentsof primary school eighth-graders and individual invitations for vaccination against HPV are the main promotional activitiesrelated to vaccination rights. In order to increase response to vaccination, additional engagement of school doctors, public healthinstitutes, schools, institutions, media and other stakeholders is necessary.