There are two dominant vaccines against cervical cancer on the market. The one vaccine is called “Cervarix”, and is the one that all Norwegian children and young people get for free through the child vaccination program in Norway. The other is called “Gardasil 9”. It is used by almost every other country in Europe in their vaccination program. The vaccines have different protections against the viruses that go under the collective term HPV. Some of these viruses can cause cervical cancer. Both vaccines protect against the two most dangerous viruses of this type. This is HPV Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a large group of viruses consisting of around 200 different types. They can also cause cancer in the external genitalia, rectum and oral cavity/pharynx in both sexes. The most serious viruses can cause cervical cancer They can also cause genital warts on the body – this affects 10% Approximately 40 of the viruses are transmitted through sexual contact. Source: Professor Ole-Erik Iversen, UIO Now Norway will once again choose which HPV vaccine will be offered free of charge to children and young people in the future. Since the two vaccines are made by two different manufacturers, the authorities must consider offers from both. – Is in a process Area director Einar Andreassen in the Directorate for Medical Products (DMP) says the vaccine is out for tender. – We are now in a process to get the best possible offer. He says he hopes both relevant manufacturers who make the vaccines deliver good offers. – It is important to regain as much health as possible for the tax dollars we spend on cancer prevention. Area director Einar Andreassen in DNP says they are now waiting for offers from the manufacturers and will choose the one with the best offer. Photo: Directorate for Medical Products / DMP He says the specialist group has concluded that Cervarix provides as good protection as Gardasil 9 when it comes to protection against cancer. If the specialist group is to assess whether the vaccine should also work against other things, they must receive political guidance on this, explains Andreassen. According to Sykehusinnkjøp, NOK 692 million has been set aside over 4 years, which Norway will spend on HPV vaccines. – Nine vaccines in one syringe Several experts in cancer and women’s diseases are reacting to the fact that Norway, on the whole, evaluates the two vaccines equally. One of them is Ole Erik Iversen, specialist in women’s diseases and professor at the University of Bergen. He says the vaccine offered in most of Europe is significantly better than the one Norway has today. Iversen points out that this vaccine, Gardasil 9, protects against far more HPV viruses. In addition, it protects against the venereal disease genital warts. – Both have protection against the two most important types that can cause cancer. But one is two vaccines in one syringe, the other is nine vaccines in one syringe, explains Iversen. According to figures from the Norwegian Cancer Registry, around 350 women get cervical cancer every year. Norway started the vaccination program in 2009. This week the government proposed home tests to detect cervical cancer. This is cervical cancer Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that in the vast majority of cases is caused by a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus). This type of cancer can affect anyone who has a cervix. HPV is sexually transmitted and is very common. Cervical cancer at an early stage often shows no symptoms, and can be detected when a Pap smear or HPV test is taken from the cervix. By taking regular Pap smears, cell changes can be detected and treated, and the risk of getting cervical cancer is reduced. Vaccine can protect against cervical cancer Source: Helse Norge Many buy it privately At the same time that the Norwegian health authorities are now evaluating the two vaccines against each other, more and more private individuals are buying the one that covers the most viruses for their children or themselves. Figures news has received from the Pharmacists’ Association show almost a doubling in the number of vaccines sold from pharmacies to private individuals in the last four years. Elisabet Årnes Eidshaug does not trust that the vaccine given for free in Norway is good enough Photo: Privat / news One of those who has bought the vaccine for her children is Elisabet Årnes Eidshaug. She has a son and a daughter who have both received the same vaccine offered in Europe. – It’s the idea that if my child gets cervical cancer one day, was it because I didn’t choose the best vaccine, when I know it covers better? According to the Association of Pharmacists, a dose of vaccine costs NOK 1,600 for a private person. An adult must have three doses for it to be effective. The total cost will thus be NOK 4,800. This week the government allocated money for an adult vaccination program where all children’s vaccines will be refreshed. The Norwegian Cancer Society believes that the HPV vaccine must be part of this programme. The Danes use Gardasil 9 Both Sweden and Denmark have had the most advanced vaccine for many years. news has been in contact with Danish health authorities who say that they have had Gardasil 9 since November 2017. – The decision to vaccinate with Gardasil 9 was made on the basis of a tender. It was assessed that Gardasil 9 provides increased protection compared to several other HPV vaccines, and that this was in relation to the price, writes the Danish National Board of Health in an e-mail to news. Einar Andreassen in the Directorate for Medical Products says they run the same process as the Danes. – Whoever makes the best offer wins. This was also the case in Denmark. He says a specialist group has decided to weight the offers so that quality is emphasized 70 per cent and price 30 per cent. Professor Iversen has little understanding of the two vaccines being pitted against each other. – All countries make their knowledge summary. This literature is international and the same. And apart from the question of cost, there is no reason why it should be assessed differently in Norway than in other countries. Broad professional community frustrated Several experts on women’s health that news has been in contact with have little understanding that the authorities do not go for the vaccine that protects against seven instead of two HPV viruses. They do not feel the authorities listen to them and do not understand why there are no experts on cancer and women’s diseases in the group that will make the decision. Andreassen in DMP says they are confident that those who will make the decision are sufficiently qualified. – The expert group consists of professionally qualified people from the infection control professional environment at FHI and DMP, who know the field well and can obtain input they think is relevant. Mamma Elisabet Årnes Eidshaug thinks the Norwegian authorities must know their visiting hours. – I think in a country like Norway, everyone should have the opportunity to have better coverage for something that is actually so widespread. Published 09.10.2024, at 12.55 p.m
ttn-69
Norway does not have the HPV vaccine that protects against most viruses – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
