The deadline for catch-up vaccination (special relief measure) for the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine "Sylgard 9" that prevents cervical cancer is March 31st.
Diseases that can be prevented with HPV vaccine
HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, especially HPV types 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of cervical cancers. Sylgard 9 is also compatible with HPV types 6, 11, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, and is said to be able to prevent more than 90% of cervical cancers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021).
Target of catch-up vaccination
In Japan, the active recommendation of the HPV vaccine was temporarily suspended, so the generation that would not otherwise have had the opportunity to receive the vaccine (women born between 1997 and 2007) can now receive the vaccine free of charge as a special relief measure (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 2022). If you miss this opportunity, you will have to pay the full amount out of pocket, so eligible people are encouraged to get vaccinated early. You can receive the subsidy if you receive even one vaccination on March 31, 2025.
Advantages of early vaccination
The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before infection. By getting vaccinated at a young age, you can significantly reduce your future risk of cervical cancer and genital warts.
Catch-up vaccination deadline is until the end of March 2025 It is important to get vaccinated as early as possible, as you will have to incur costs after this date.
HPV vaccine effectiveness shown by overseas data
A large study conducted in Sweden reported that women who received the HPV vaccine as teenagers had an approximately 88% reduced risk of developing cervical cancer (Lei et al., 2020).
Additionally, in Australia, after the introduction of the HPV vaccine, the number of precancerous cervical cancer lesions among young people decreased rapidly, proving the effectiveness of the vaccine (Brotherton et al., 2016).
Now is your chance for catch-up vaccination!
Catch-up vaccination with the HPV vaccine "Sylgard 9" is extremely important for cervical cancer prevention. Don't miss out on the free vaccination period (until the end of March 2025).
References
Brotherton, J. M. L., et al. (2016). Early effect of the HPV vaccination programme on cervical abnormalities in Victoria, Australia: An ecological study. The Lancet, 377(9783), 2085-2092.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). HPV Vaccine Information. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
• Lei, J., et al. (2020). HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive Cervical Cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine, 383, 1340-1348.
• Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. (2022). About human papillomavirus infection (HPV vaccine). Retrieved fromhttps://www.mhlw.go.jp