The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine isn’t just for the younger generation. In Switzerland, it’s free up to the age of 26, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth getting vaccinated afterward. HPV has many different strains, and you can contract it at any age! In this article, we’ll explain why vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself if you’re sexually active.
How does HPV vaccination work in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, the vaccine is offered free of charge to individuals aged 11 to 26 through cantonal programs. After that age, it’s no longer automatically reimbursed, even though there’s no official age limit for getting vaccinated.
However, if you’re over 26, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Depending on your supplementary health insurance, the costs may be covered—so be sure to check!
The rationale behind this age bracket is to protect young people before they become sexually active. HPV is the most transmissible sexually transmitted infection (STI): nearly 90% of people in Switzerland will contract it at some point in their lives. If you’re reading this and you’ve already had sexual contact, chances are you’ve been exposed to HPV! But being infected with HPV doesn’t mean you’ll develop a severe condition.
Why get vaccinated after 27?
Quite simply, because after 27… your sex life doesn’t stop! Many HPV infections are asymptomatic, and there are over 200 different types of HPV. So even if you’ve had (and cleared) an HPV infection, that doesn’t mean you can’t contract another strain—possibly one that leads to more severe complications. Even after 27, getting vaccinated remains a preventive strategy to reduce the risk of infection with high-risk HPV strains.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that in countries where vaccination is widely implemented, high-risk infections have significantly decreased. While the vaccine is most effective before any sexual contact, as long as you haven’t been exposed to all the strains covered by the vaccine, you can still benefit from it.
A crucial vaccine for adults, especially women
In Switzerland, HPV vaccination could theoretically prevent 80 to 180 new cases of cancer per year in men and around 300 cases in women. This difference is due to the types of cancers that HPV can cause.
In fact, 99% of all cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV. That’s why protection remains essential even after 27, especially for women. However, if you’re a man, we also strongly recommend getting vaccinated—protecting yourself means protecting your partners, too!
Screening: An essential ally
Whether you’re vaccinated or not, regular cervical cancer screenings are highly recommended. In Switzerland, two main tests are available:
- Pap smear (Pap test): Detects potential cell abnormalities in the cervix.
- HPV test: Identifies high-risk HPV strains.
Your healthcare provider will recommend an appropriate screening schedule, typically a Pap smear every three years, or more frequently depending on your medical history. If abnormalities are detected, further tests (such as colposcopy or biopsy) may be necessary.
Protect yourself against HPV at any age!
HPV vaccination can play a key role in preventing new infections and reducing the risk of HPV-related cancers—even in adulthood. By getting vaccinated, you protect yourself against the most severe HPV strains and help protect your partners, too!
Sources
- Cervical cancer – World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Cervical cancer elimination: progress evident, but tragically slow – World Health Organisation (WHO)
- HPV Info: Alles, was du über humane Papillomaviren wissen musst – MSD Switzerland
- HPV – virus du papillome humain – Infovac.ch
- Impfungen für Jugendliche – Bundesamt für Gesundheit (BAG)
- La Suisse modifie ses recommandations de vaccination contre le HPV – planetesante.ch
