Awareness campaigns aim to prevent HPV-related cancer

The 8th Bavarian Vaccination Week was launched last Friday in Munich city centre in the presence of Bavaria’s Minister for Health and Prevention, Judith Gerlach. This year’s event is entirely dedicated to raising awareness about vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV). Gerlach was on hand to support the campaign organised by the Bavarian Centre for Cancer Research (BZKF) and spoke with members of the public. Bavarian Vaccination Week runs from 3 to 12 July 2026.

Health Minister Gerlach emphasised: “HPV infections are the main cause of cervical cancer. They can also cause tumours in the mouth and throat or in the genital area. That is why it is important to protect yourself at an early stage. Unfortunately, HPV vaccination rates in Germany are still too low, particularly among young people. With this year’s Bavarian Vaccination Week, we are therefore focusing on the importance of the HPV vaccine. The aim is for as many people as possible to engage with the issue so that we can increase vaccination rates in the long term!”

High level of interest in the topic

The BZKF has reported an initial positive response at the start of Bavarian Vaccination Week. Numerous passers-by in Munich city centre took the opportunity to find out about the HPV vaccination, ask questions and talk to experts. The strong response demonstrates the high level of interest in the topic and underlines the importance of easily accessible information services. Bavarian Vaccination Week thus sends an important signal regarding prevention and healthcare in Bavaria and highlights the significance of vaccinations for public health.

Prof. Dr Claus Belka, Deputy Director of the BZKF and Director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Radiotherapy and Radio-Oncology at LMU Medical Centre in Munich, explains: “Unfortunately, many parents and young people still know too little about human papillomaviruses and the possibilities of gaining effective protection against HPV-related cancers through vaccination. Yet the HPV vaccine is one of the most effective preventive measures available: model calculations show that, in a large international comparison of 14 vaccination programmes across 117 countries, the HPV vaccine achieves the highest number of deaths prevented per 1,000 vaccinations. Every HPV vaccination carried out in good time is therefore an investment in leading as healthy and active a life as possible.”

Vaccination rates must continue to rise

The HPV vaccination is one of the most effective measures for cancer prevention. Nevertheless, vaccination rates remain far too low: in 2024, only 50 per cent of 15-year-old girls and 30 per cent of 15-year-old boys across Bavaria were fully vaccinated against HPV. As a result, Bavaria – like Germany as a whole – remains well behind its vaccination targets.

To provide the public with comprehensive information on the importance of the HPV vaccination, the BZKF works closely with the Bavarian State Ministry of Health, Care and Prevention (StMGP), the Bavarian State Working Group on Vaccination (LAGI) and the Bavarian Centre for Preventive Infectious Medicine (BZI). HPV awareness-raising is also a key component of the StMGP’s Prevention Master Plan. Important groundwork has already been laid in recent months through dialogue with numerous key communicators. During Bavarian Vaccination Week, these activities will be supplemented by numerous information and awareness-raising initiatives across Bavaria. Further information on Bavarian Vaccination Week is available on the Bavarian Ministry of Health’s website.

Event announcement

On Wednesday 8 July, a free online session for parents will take place. Experts from the BZKF will answer all questions on the topic of HPV vaccination anonymously.

Vaccination recommendation

The HPV vaccination is administered by GPs in private practice, in paediatric and adolescent medicine practices, general practice, urology or gynaecology practices. Vaccination is recommended for girls and boys aged 9 to 14, as the vaccine is most effective when administered before a person becomes sexually active. Young people who were not vaccinated at this age should catch up on the vaccination as soon as possible, but no later than their 18th birthday.

An HPV vaccination may also be advisable for adults following individual medical advice, as it can protect them against HPV types with which they have not yet come into contact.

Free information material for interested parties and medical practices is available here.