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- Ελληνικά
The National Advisory Committee on Vaccination, Ministry of Health, has decided that the age limits for administration of the human papillomavirus vaccine (Gardasil) should be modified. Specifically, from 01 January 2024, the vaccine will be administered to children (boys and girls) aged 11 years to 13 years and 364 days.
In view of the above decision, the Health Insurance Agency wishes to inform the public of the following.
If the child is older than 15 years of age, three doses are required for full vaccination, with the second and third doses administered two and six months respectively, after the first dose.
It is clarified that if the child has already started the human papillomavirus vaccination scheme, or will start it between now and 31 December 2023, he or she may complete it, even if the subsequent doses do not fall within the age limits in force during the vaccination period.
For example, if a 14-year-old child is vaccinated on September 10, 2023 with the first dose of the Gardasil vaccine, the dose is administered under the GHS at no financial cost. The second dose of the vaccine follows six months after the first, i.e. on 10 March 2024. Since the first dose was administered under the GES, the child will receive the second dose at no financial cost, despite the fact that on 10 March 2024 the child does not meet the criteria for starting vaccination against human papillomavirus through the GES. The same applies in cases where the child starts the vaccination at age 15 years or older, and therefore three doses are required to complete the vaccination regimen.
With regard to the period from 1 January 2024 onwards, if the first dose is given within the age range of 11 years to 13 years and 364 days, the child may complete the vaccination, even if at the time of the second dose the child is over 13 years and 364 days of age.
For the period from 1 January 2024 onwards, if the first dose is given within the age range of 11 years to 13 years and 364 days, the child may complete the vaccination, even if at the time of the second dose the child is over 13 years and 364 days of age.
For example, if a child aged 13 years and 300 days is vaccinated on 15 January 2024 with the first dose of Gardasil vaccine, the dose is administered under the GHS at no financial cost. This is followed by the second dose of the vaccine six months after the first, on 15 July 2024. Since the first dose was administered under the General Health Insurance Scheme, the child will receive the second dose at no financial cost, despite the fact that on 15 July 2024 the child does not meet the criteria for starting vaccination against the human papillomavirus under the General Health Insurance Scheme, as he/she has reached the age of 13 years and 364 days.
Since the new age limit is to be implemented from 1 January 2024, parents and guardians are urged to settle any outstanding vaccination issues until then, always in consultation with their paediatrician.
Finally, it is recalled that at this stage, girls born from 1 January 2004 onwards who have not reached the age of 18 and boys born from 1 January 2008 onwards can be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus under the General Health Insurance Scheme.
(AF/SX)
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