HPV vaccination in Romania: analysis of national campaigns from 2008–2011 and 2020–2024
Keywords:
HPV vaccination in Romania, national campaign, vaccine coverage, implementation strategyAbstract
Cervical cancer remains a pressing public health issue in Romania, with incidence and mortality rates exceeding the European average. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is an effective preventive measure, yet national campaigns have faced considerable obstacles.
This study provides a comparative analysis of Romania’s HPV vaccination campaigns conducted from 2008–2011 and 2020–2024, focusing on strategy, delivery, financial support, and public uptake.
The 2008–2011 school-based program reached only 2.57% coverage and was subsequently discontinued, primarily due to insufficient public communication, lack of educational efforts, and widespread vaccine hesitancy.
In contrast, the 2020–2024 campaign demonstrated gradual improvement, particularly after December 2023, when the HPV vaccine became fully reimbursed for individuals aged 11–18 and partially reimbursed for women aged 19–45.
The Romanian experience underscores that successful vaccination programs depend not only on vaccine availability but also on robust communication, financial support, and trust in healthcare institutions. This provides important lessons for shaping adaptive, evidence-based immunization policies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ancuța Copoț, Bianca Buciavaras, Alexandra Creanga, Ștefan Copoṭ
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