HPV Vaccination Rates Increase in Bulgaria, But More Work Remains

This year saw a 30% increase in the number of women who were vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) compared to last year. According to Dr. Kremena Parmakova from the “Control of Infectious Diseases” Department of the Ministry of Health, 3,661 women were vaccinated against HPV with the first dose of the vaccine in the first eight months of 2024, up from 2,892 in 2023.

Despite this progress, there is still much work to be done. Professor Stefan Kovachev, head of the General Gynecology and Oncology Clinic at the Academy of Medical Sciences, noted that the population of women eligible for HPV immunization under the national program is between 20,000 and 25,000, and the current vaccination rate is not high enough.

The Importance of HPV Vaccination

HPV is a serious public health concern in Bulgaria, with an incidence of cervical cancer of 18 per 100,000 women and over 1,000 women diagnosed annually. Every day, two women lose their lives as a result of cervical cancer, and every year it is the cause of death in 8-10 per 100,000 women.

However, HPV does not only affect women. It also causes cancer of the penis, anus, mouth, throat, and vulva, making it essential to vaccinate both sexes. Virologist Professor Radka Argirova reported that diseases caused by HPV in boys are on the rise, and the next step is to include boys between the ages of 10 and 14 in the national program for the period 2025-2028.

Barriers to Vaccination

Despite the importance of HPV vaccination, many women are not getting vaccinated. GP Dr. Gergana Nikolova said that she has asked her patients why they refused to be vaccinated against HPV, and the answer was that they were afraid. “Quite humanly, I ask myself the question for what reason is the fear of the vaccine greater than the fear of cancer,” she commented.

Lily Asenova of the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Association cited data from an online survey of 200 women aged 19 to 72, which found that 75% were aware that HPV can cause cancer, but 61.5% did not know about the existence of HPV. The largest number of female participants (72.5%) had never been referred by a healthcare professional for HPV testing.

Success Stories from Other Countries

Professor Stefan Kovachev presented the successful example of Australia, which is on its way to eliminating HPV-related diseases. Australia introduced HPV vaccination for girls and boys in 2007, and the infection rate has decreased from 22% to 1.2%. The vaccination rate for girls is 80%, and for boys, it is around 70%.

This directly affects the incidence of cervical cancer, and the latest figures from Australia are 900 cases per 100,000. In contrast, Bulgaria has a population of 7.5 million people and a much higher incidence of cervical cancer.

Raising Awareness and Promoting Vaccination

To raise parents’ awareness of HPV-related diseases, the pharmaceutical company MSD is organizing an information campaign “You are a hero to your child, today and forever.” The campaign aims to remind parents of children between the ages of 10-13 that they are the ones their children rely on to make the right and timely choices for their health.

As part of the campaign, an information site has been created where people can learn more about HPV-related cancers, how they can protect themselves, and where they can get vaccinated.