At the Ismail Qemali school in Prishtina today, vaccination of students against HPV was carried out, as part of efforts to prevent cervical cancer.

Institutional and international representatives took part in the activity, emphasizing the importance of vaccination for the health of girls and young people.

The Mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, stated that vaccination will continue in all schools.

“In all schools, this is actually the third year that we have been conducting vaccination in all schools, and there is a level of 89% for some of the vaccines. We have a slight problem with the measles vaccine because, due to some misinformation, a number of parents have refused to have their children receive this vaccine. However, we are in discussions through various institutions to show that there is no link between the measles vaccine and the problems they think are caused as a result. It is therefore of great importance that all young people, all students, receive these vaccines offered to them in all schools, because the only reason is to protect our children’s health and to protect their future from other potential diseases that come as a result of not receiving these vaccines,” said the mayor Rama.

The importance of this vaccine in protecting girls’ health was also emphasized by the representative of UNICEF in Kosovo, Veronika Vashchenko.

“Cervical cancer is one of the very dangerous diseases. It is the fourth disease that takes lives worldwide, but of course this can be prevented, and it can be prevented precisely with the HPV vaccine, which you will receive today,” said Vashchenko.

She added that UNICEF supports local institutions in this process and praised the courage of the students receiving the vaccine.

On the other hand, the Director of Health in the Municipality of Prishtina, Izet Sadiku, stressed the importance of this process for younger generations.

“The purpose of today’s visit is to support you, to show you that you are doing a very good thing by protecting your health, because, as Veronika also mentioned, you are receiving a vaccine, and you are lucky as children to be the third generation in Kosovo to be vaccinated against this disease, which is the main cause of cervical cancer. And cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer. Therefore, while our mothers and sisters today must take care of cervical cancer, you will not need to worry at all because the vaccine protects you from this disease,” said Sadiku.

Health authorities and international partners appealed for parents and students to be properly informed and to support vaccination, describing it as one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases and ensure a healthier future for younger generations in Kosovo.