The article examined why some women in Norway completed the HPV vaccination and others did not. It focused on women born between 1991 and 1996 who were eligible for a catch‑up vaccination programme. The study showed that women with higher levels of education and those who had lived in Norway for more than ten years were more likely to complete the vaccination. In contrast, lower completion rates were seen among women with parents from non‑Western countries, as well as among married women and those with children. The findings highlighted the need for targeted communication to address these differences and to clearly explain that being married or having children does not protect against HPV infection.
The survey was conducted several years earlier but the publication of results was delayed because all experts involved were occupied with the COVID‑19 response. With my support, Elburg, a fellow of the EPIET training programme based in Norway, analysed and interpreted the data. The results showed that public health institutions need ongoing dialogue with ethnic, cultural, and religious minority groups. As societies become more diverse, even well‑designed vaccination programmes may fail to reach everyone without tailored and inclusive communication.