A vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) is part of the Norwegian Childhood Immunisation Programme and is given at 12 years (7th grade). The vaccine has been offered to girls since 2009 and to boys since 2018. In addition there was a limited programme from 1 November 2016 to 30 June 2019 for young women born in 1991 or later. In this programme, women who had never been offered or had declined the offer in the Childhood Immunisation Programme were offered the vaccine for free.  The Norwegian Immunisation Registry (SYSVAK) provides coverage statistics for HPV vaccination. 

The official coverage statistics for the HPV vaccine are given for 16-year-olds. The vaccination coverage among 16-year-old girls who are fully vaccinated increased from 67 per cent to 88 per cent between 2013 and 2020 (see figure 1). The official vaccination coverage statistics for fully-vaccinated boys will not be available until 2023. The proportion of vaccinated people is monitored continuously and for the 2007 cohort, 93 per cent of girls and 92 per cent of  boys have had at least one dose of HPV vaccine (as of August 2020). 59 per cent of young women born between 1991 and 1996 have had at least one dose of HPV vaccine during the time-limited vaccination programme. 

Figure 1. Vaccination coverage for fully-vaccinated girls aged 16, as a percentage. Source: Norwegian Immunisation Registry SYSVAK. 

The data source for this indicator is the Norwegian Immunisation Registry (SYSVAK). A description follows below.

Description 

The Norwegian Immunisation Registry (SYSVAK) maintains an overview of the individual's vaccination status and vaccination coverage in Norway. 

The Norwegian Childhood Immunisation Programme includes a range of different vaccines recommended by the health authorities for children and adolescents. Basic vaccination is mainly given to infants and young children, and booster doses for many of the vaccines are offered to school-age children.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is responsible for procuring the vaccines for the Norwegian Childhood Immunisation Programme and distributing them to the municipalities. Vaccination takes place at public health clinics and through the school health service and is free of charge. All administered vaccines are registered at individual level in SYSVAK.

The Norwegian Childhood Immunisation Programme publishes an annual report that includes coverage statistics, reported cases of diseases for which vaccination is provided, the type of vaccines that have been used.

• Norwegian Immunisation Registry (SYSVAK)
• Norwegian Childhood Immunisation Programme

Effect measure

• Vaccination coverage for girls aged 16 years who are fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine, as a percentage. 

The figures apply to those who are fully vaccinated, i.e. they have received the recommended three doses at the recommended time. The vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV) had been administered in three doses from autumn 2009 until autumn 2017. Since autumn 2017, the vaccine has been administered in two doses as part of the Childhood Immunisation Programme (begun before turning 15 years).

The vaccine is offered at 12 years (7th grade).  The official vaccination coverage is calculated for 16-year-olds. The first boys to have been offered the vaccine as part of the Childhood Immunisation Programme are born in 2006 and are now around 14-years-old so are therefore not included in the official coverage statistics today.  

WHO’s definition of the indicator

Indicator 22. Availability, as appropriate, if cost-effective and affordable, of vaccines against human papillomavirus, according to national programmes and policies. 

National adaptation

The WHO indicator applies to vaccine availablility. The Norwegian indicator includes vaccination coverage.