Papillomavirus: kick-off of vaccination of middle school students in some regions

Europe 1 with AFP 12:33pm, 02 October 2023

Kick-off Monday, in some regions, of the vaccination of middle school students in class 5th against papillomavirus, promised at the beginning of the year by President Emmanuel Macron and fully supported by Social Security. The start-up is planned in public colleges and private colleges under voluntary contract in some regions, such as Nouvelle-Aquitaine or Normandy, before being extended to the entire territory. Vaccination is subject to the consent of both parents. Students will receive a first dose this fall or winter, and a second six months later, in their middle school and during school time. The injections will be carried out by mobile teams of caregivers outside the facility.

The government aims to vaccinate 80% of this age group by 2030. Every year in France, HPV - acronym for "human papillomavirus" - are responsible for more than 6,000 new cases of cancer, most often of the cervix, which cause 1,100 deaths per year, of the vulva or vagina, but also of the ENT sphere, anus or penis.

Vaccination recommended for pre-adolescent girls since 2007

Launched on the market in the 2000s, the HPV vaccine has since proven itself against infection with these viruses and, in an increasingly proven way, against the risk of one day declaring cervical cancer. It is all the more effective if it is administered before the encounter with the virus causing the infection, according to experts.

In France, vaccination has been recommended for girls aged 11 to 14 since 2007, and for boys since 2021. However, less than half of adolescents are vaccinated in France, one of the lowest rates in Europe. Vaccinating against HPV in schools could increase vaccination coverage, as in other countries, such as Australia, Canada, Nordic countries or Scotland, according to health authorities.

"Enhanced monitoring" for possible side effects

However, multiple obstacles have weighed on this vaccination, between fears related to the vaccine, lack of knowledge of its impact on preventing cancer and inequalities in socio-economic access. In a post-Covid context, where vaccine mistrust persists among some French people, the drug agency has also indicated this week that it would carry out "enhanced monitoring" of the possible side effects of the injection.

However, "the most frequently observed adverse effects with Gardasil 9 vaccines are not serious in the vast majority of cases and disappear spontaneously in a few days, even if they can be annoying," noted the ANSM, which evokes pain at the site of the bite or headache.