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Starting signal for Hamburg HPV Action Weeks 2026
04.02.2026 | Text: Avin Hell and Hamburg Social Welfare Authority
From February 4, 2026, World Cancer Day, to March 4, 2026, HPV Awareness Day, HPV Action Weeks will take place in Hamburg. Under the motto “Hamburg educates – Together against HPV,” numerous institutions, professional associations, and medical facilities are participating in raising awareness about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the prevention of HPV-related cancers.
Social Senator Melanie Schlotzhauer: "Almost one in 20 cancer cases is caused by infection with HPV viruses – and that doesn't have to be the case! The HPV vaccination offers very good protection. With the HPV Action Weeks, we want to show parents in Hamburg how important and safe the vaccination is for children and young people. Have your child vaccinated against HPV now and actively help to reduce the risk of cancer!"
Prof. Dr. Carsten Bokemeyer, Director of the University Cancer Center Hamburg at the UKE: "The HPV vaccine protects against cancer by preventing infection with human papillomaviruses, which can cause cervical, anal, penile, vulvar, vaginal, and oropharyngeal cancer. It is particularly effective when administered before the first sexual intercourse. Take advantage of the opportunities offered by the campaign weeks."
Jens Juncker, DAK regional manager for Hamburg: "The HPV vaccination is an important component of cancer prevention. With this campaign, we want to focus on protecting our children and young people and further increase vaccination rates in Hamburg. That is why we at DAK-Gesundheit are supporting the Hamburg HPV Action Weeks, thereby making an important contribution to cancer prevention. We cover the costs of vaccinations for children and young people up to their 18th birthday as a standard benefit via the health insurance card. However, we also recommend vaccination for young adults up to their 26th birthday and cover the costs in these cases as a statutory benefit."
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Start of the campaign weeks with low-threshold vaccination campaigns on February 4
The campaign kicks off with vaccinations being offered at Hamburg's public health offices and at the vaccination center (at the Institute for Hygiene and Environment) on February 4. Children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 can get vaccinated against HPV there without an appointment between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – don't forget your vaccination card and legal guardian! The campaign is an important step toward increasing vaccination rates in Hamburg.
Information for parents from the family authorities
The family authorities have informed all parents of children in the at-risk age group about this vaccination program via schools. The aim is to make families directly aware of the HPV vaccination and to facilitate participation in the vaccination campaigns.
Public relations and information services
Throughout the campaign weeks, those involved will provide information about HPV, the importance of vaccination, and the health risks—including posters, commercials on passenger TV, social media campaigns, and information events in schools, doctors' offices, and clinics.
UKE Action Day on World HPV Day
On March 4, 2026, the UCC Hamburg at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) is hosting an HPV Action Day. Starting at 3:30 p.m., interested parties can learn about HPV-related diseases, vaccination options, and ways to protect themselves. There will be a special program for children! Vaccinations will also be available on site.
Why HPV vaccination is important
Almost everyone becomes infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Most infections go unnoticed and heal on their own, but some types of the virus can lead to genital warts or cancer, often years after infection. STIKO recommends vaccination for children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 14 (two doses) and 15 and older (three doses). It protects against the most common HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
Support from many partners
The campaign shows how many stakeholders in Hamburg are working together to promote prevention and education. The following organizations are participating in the HPV Action Weeks: the Hamburg Social Authority, the UCC Hamburg at the UKE, DAK-Gesundheit, the State Institute for Teacher Training and School Development, the Medical Society for Health Promotion e. V. (ÄGGF), the Hamburg Cancer Society e. V., the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, the Dysplasia Center Hamburg, the Leibniz Institute for Virology, the Head and Neck Cancer Self-Help Network e. V., and the patient representatives of the UCC Hamburg. Numerous professional associations are also involved, including professional societies of gynecologists, ear, nose, and throat doctors, pediatricians, family doctors, urologists, company doctors, and the German Working Group of Outpatient Doctors for Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine (dagnä e. V.).
Further information
The UCC Hamburg
The Hubertus Wald Tumor Center – University Cancer Center Hamburg (UCC Hamburg) brings together all clinics and institutes involved in diagnostics, therapy, and research within the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and collaborates with numerous partners in healthcare and science in Hamburg.
For press inquiries or news items for the “News” page, please contact our communications and public relations officer:
Dipl.-Biol. Avin Hell, Communications
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