Eight out of ten people in Germany become infected with Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) at least once in their lifetime. Although most infections remain unnoticed and heal on their own, they cause an estimated more than 10,000 cancer cases each year. On the occasion of World HPV Day on March 4, the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) appeals to parents to have their children vaccinated against HPV between the ages of nine and 14 – the optimal time for effective long-term protection.
HPV is considered the main cause of cervical cancer, but it also affects other types of cancer in the oral cavity, throat, anal area, and genitals. The viruses are mostly transmitted through small skin or mucous membrane injuries and can remain symptom-free in the body for years before malignant cell changes develop decades later. Vaccination specifically protects against the high-risk HPV types, thus preventing many of these cancer cases.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination for boys and girls aged nine to 14. Despite clear evidence, the vaccination rate in Germany remains comparatively low: In 2024, according to the Robert Koch Institute, only 55 percent of 15-year-old girls and 36 percent of 15-year-old boys had full vaccination protection.
Dr. Johannes Nießen, acting head of the BIÖG, emphasized the importance of early prevention: HPV vaccination is a safe and demonstrably effective measure to prevent avoidable cancer cases. Parents who had their children vaccinated at this age laid a crucial foundation for their long-term health.
The BIÖG offers comprehensive, easy-to-understand information on HPV vaccination at www.infektionsschutz.de, specifically for parents and the age group of children and adolescents. With the campaign "Protecting What Is Valuable," the institute specifically addresses myths and misinformation and answers frequently asked questions.
Free information materials can be requested via the online ordering system at https://shop.bioeg.de/ or by email to bestellung@bioeg.de.
The Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) was established on February 13, 2025, from the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) and is a federal agency within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health.
