Did you know that if you’re sexually active, you have an 85-90% chance of being infected with HPV? But there is a solution available in Switzerland, and it’s potentially free: vaccination! Vaccination is one of the main ways of avoiding infection. Well, in terms of protection, there’s also abstinence. But we doubt that’s the most popular solution! So how effective is vaccination? And who is eligible? We answer everything in this article dedicated to HPV vaccination!
HPV in a nutshell
HPV is sexually transmitted and can affect both men and women. Often asymptomatic, it can lead to serious complications, including cervical, throat and genital cancers. What’s more, male and female condoms provide only partial protection against the risk of infection. Areas not covered by contraception are potential entry points for HPV.
There are various ways of avoiding HPV infection:
- Abstinence…
- Vaccination, which is the most effective.
- Frequent health checks, especially smear tests for women.
Why get vaccinated against HPV?
Vaccination is the most effective form of protection against HPV. It is generally carried out between the ages of 11 and 14, before the first sexual relations.
The HPV vaccine protects against around 90% of the serious types of HPV, i.e. those that cause cancer. Low-risk HPVs, which are responsible for 90% of condylomata, are also protected by vaccination.
Although the vaccine does not provide 100% protection against HPV infection, it does cover the majority of complications. The risk of infection falls sharply when all sexual partners are vaccinated. Oh, and also! It’s a common misconception that HPV only affects women… but that’s not true – men are at risk of infection too. In an ideal world, if everyone was vaccinated from an early age, we could even dream of eradicating the virus! In Switzerland, vaccination is free up to the age of 26. The condition is that the vaccination must be carried out as part of the cantonal vaccination programs.
Book your HPV vaccination appointment directly.
It’s easy and online with OneDoc.
Where and how can I get vaccinated against HPV in Switzerland?
Vaccination is the most effective form of protection against HPV and offers numerous long-term benefits. It is therefore recommended that you get vaccinated before your first sexual encounter. Have you already had sex, or even an HPV infection? Don’t panic! You can still get vaccinated to reduce the risk of contagion. In this case, the vaccine can also protect you against a new infection.
The Federal Office of Public Health recommends that all young adults up to the age of 26 should be vaccinated. You can go to your GP, paediatrician, favourite pharmacy or vaccination centre. Remember, vaccination is free up to the age of 26!
To make vaccination more accessible, OneDoc is taking the lead! Booking an appointment for a papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is just a few clicks away. Just type ‘HPV’ in the search bar and you’ll be redirected to a full list of health professionals offering this vaccination.
Or simply click here to be redirected to all the healthcare professionals offering vaccination in Switzerland.
