MSD Austria supports projects to increase HPV awareness
Vienna (OTS) – HPV infections can lead to serious consequences such as cervical cancer. The HPV Awareness Prize 2024 honors innovative projects or activities that consistently aim to increase awareness of HPV among the Austrian population. An independent jury of experts selects the winning project and awards it prize money of up to €20,000.00.
Around 80 percent of all women and men become infected with various types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted virus, during their lifetime. A persistent HPV infection can cause cervical cancer.[1]
Aim for free HPV vaccination up to your 30th birthday
Since February 1st last year, the HPV vaccination has been available free of charge for children, adolescents and young adults aged 9 to 21. Since then, the number of vaccinations has almost doubled: around 106,000 vaccinations were recorded in the electronic vaccination record, compared to around 56,000 vaccinations in the same period last year. The federal, state and social security systems are now aiming to expand the offer: by the end of 2025, free HPV vaccinations should also be available to young adults up to the age of 30. A decision on the rollout of this public vaccination program is expected in April.[2]
Funding Prize 2024: Submissions possible until June 30, 2024
In 2022, MSD Austria launched the HPV funding award for the first time. This award honors outstanding projects that raise awareness of the dangers of HPV and emphasize the importance of preventive measures by advancing HPV education in Austrian society. The response to this prize was so overwhelming that it was awarded again in 2023 and is now entering the third round.
Submissions for the 2024 funding award are already possible. HPV education initiatives and planned practical projects or educational activities as well as journalistic works and media projects can be submitted. The submission deadline ends on June 30, 2024. Further information about the funding award can be found on the website www.msd.at/de/hpv-forderpreis/.
About MSD
For more than 130 years, MSD has been researching medicines and vaccines to combat the world’s major health problems. With the mission to improve the world and the lives of people and animals and to be one of the world’s leading research-based biopharmaceutical companies. The company is committed to health out of conviction. MSD is a leader in research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten humans and animals – such as cancer, viral and bacterial infectious diseases, immunological and chronic diseases, and animal diseases. MSD wants to extend and improve the lives of people with cancer and focus on the areas of prevention, early detection and reintegration after cancer. As a leading vaccine manufacturer, MSD is proud to help children and adults protect themselves from disease.
MSD is the short form of Merck Sharp & Dohme Ges.mbH, the Austrian subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Rahway, New Jersey, USA and 70,000 employees worldwide. In Austria, MSD has around 1,000 employees at several locations.
For more information, visit www.msd.at and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov./pmc/articles/PMC4380806
[2]
Questions & Contact:
Alexandra Kunsch, MSc
Lead Communication Oncology & Vaccines
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ges.m.b.H
THE ICON VIENNA
Turm A
Wiedner Belt 9-13
1100 Wien
www.msd.at
Email: alexandra.kunsch@merck.com
#HPV #sponsorship #award #recognizes #initiatives #prize #money #Merck #Sharp #Dohme
