Informing parents about HPV vaccination: Boost HPV
17 September 2026
As many as three out of four people will be infected with human papillomavirus, or HPV, at some point in their lives. This virus is transmitted through sexual contact and exists in different types. Many of these are harmless, but some can cause several forms of cancer. Around 9 out of 10 cases of cervical cancer are caused by an HPV infection.
Why is HPV vaccination important?
A vaccine is available against HPV and protects both girls and boys. In Flanders, young people can receive the vaccine at school at the beginning of secondary education. While around 80% of young people in Flanders are vaccinated, the vaccination rate in Brussels is lower, at approximately 60%, and is also showing a downward trend.
The association of HPV with sexuality, combined with general distrust of vaccination, means that some parents have doubts about the HPV vaccine. It is therefore important to provide parents with reliable information and the opportunity to ask questions.
Boost HPV: informing and raising awareness
The Boost HPV project was developed to better inform parents, address their questions and concerns about the vaccine, and help increase vaccination coverage.
The project is a collaboration between GO! CLB, Gezond in Brussel and various community partners, including Foyer vzw.
Foyer vzw supports information sessions for parents
At the start of the new school year, our Moroccan ICB staff members Fatiha and Yasmina attended information sessions for parents at Atheneum Caroline Pauwels and GO4Business.
The sessions gave parents the opportunity to ask questions and share their concerns about HPV and vaccination. One question that regularly comes up is whether vaccination is necessary when young people do not have relationships before marriage.
Our ICB staff members explain that a person can become infected with HPV even if they have only one sexual partner. The vaccine therefore protects young people against a virus they may come into contact with during their lifetime.
Following the information sessions, some parents became more open to having their child vaccinated. However, there is still much work to be done.
Raising awareness about HPV therefore remains an important focus of the ICB Service. By informing parents, listening to their questions and encouraging dialogue, Foyer aims to contribute to better knowledge of HPV vaccination and to the health of young people.
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