More than 600 children aged 12 and 13 have been vaccinated on the first day that the free and unrestricted HPV vaccines were made available, reports Health Minister Adam Niedzielski. There are plenty of free appointments.

"More than 600 children aged 12 and 13 were vaccinated against HPV yesterday. Through the e-registration system, we accepted registrations from more than 7.1 thousand parents. The clinic's vaccination calendars have nearly 40 thousand vacant appointments. On the hotline, our counselors received nearly 11 thousand calls," tweeted Health Minister Adam Niedzielski.

Damian Boguslawski, deputy manager of NZPOZ Medico Lotnicza in Pila, decided to vaccinate his son.

- In our family, we made the decision to vaccinate our son against HPV together. And it was not a decision if, but when we would do it. The vaccine is safe and effective. A year ago we already vaccinated our daughter," says Damian Boguslawski.

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the name of the human papillomavirus. HPV is responsible for cervical cancer, as well as other cancers. A vaccine can protect against HPV infection. Vaccination is most effective if it occurs before potential exposure to HPV infection, which occurs mainly through sexual contact. Therefore, common HPV vaccination programs most often target girls and boys aged 12-13.

In Poland, 2 vaccines are available free of charge in the universal HPV vaccination program: 2-valent Cervarix vaccine and 9-valent Gardasil 9 vaccine. To enroll your child for HPV vaccination, simply make an appointment at a Primary Health Care (PHC) clinic, through the 989 hotline (7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or through the Internet Patient Account (IKP).