Faroe Islands launches campaign to boost low HPV vaccination rates among youth

Only about half of 15-year-old Faroese girls have received the HPV vaccine, according to preliminary figures from the Faroese Health Authority—far below the 80–90% coverage seen in neighboring countries and the 93% rate in Iceland.

The Health Authority has launched a new awareness campaign, “Two shots against cancer,” to reverse a decline in HPV vaccination uptake among children and adolescents aged 12–16. The vaccine protects against HPV strains linked to multiple cancers, but recent data show vaccination rates have dropped in recent years.

“Since our last report, there’s no indication the situation has improved,” said Katrin Eivindardóttir Christiansen, a Health Authority representative.

The World Health Organization’s target is 90% coverage by age 15. The Faroese figures are based on 2025 projections.