Vaccination against cancer in boys – Eichsfeld

Eichsfeld. The health of DAK in Eichsfeld takes over since July 1 for boys, the vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV). The board of directors of the health insurance company has now approved the offer as a new additional benefit. Until now, the anti-cancer vaccine is only for girls a general health insurance. "We want to make a decisive contribution to the fight against cancer in Germany Therefore, as of July 1, as one of the first major health insurance, we will also reimburse the costs of vaccination against HPV for boys, "explains Beatrice Knauft-Müller of the DAK-Gesundheit in Eichsfeld.

The fund's board of directors decided on the new vaccination offer. applies to boys aged nine to 14 years and also includes the cost of vaccinations up to the age of 18. The Standing Committee on Immunization (Stiko) announced that it will soon include the vaccine for boys in his recommendation "Boys, who are insured with us, should not wait, but can already use this important prophylaxis against cancer", so Knauft-Müller .

Viruses HP trigger Cancer precursors Human papillomaviruses are often the cause of cancer of the cervix of the uterus. In Germany alone about 4,600 women get sick each year, of which 1,600 die. Oropharyngeal and intestinal cancers, as well as bad warts, can be caused by HP virus infection.