Human papillomavirus vaccination: extension of the catch-up vaccination cohort to men and women up to and including 26 years of age

Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is very common, particularly at the start of sexual activity. Although these viruses are generally cleared naturally by the immune system, each year they are responsible for around 6,400 new cases of cancer, mainly cervical cancer, as well as 35,000 precancerous lesions.

In France, vaccination against HPV is currently recommended for girls and boys aged from 11 to 14 years, with the possibility of catch-up vaccination for both sexes up to the age of 19.

Available studies on the Gardasil 9 vaccine show that it is effective in preventing high-grade precancerous lesions of the cervix and genital warts in a population of young women and men aged 16 to 26 years at the time of vaccination, including individuals who were uninfected or previously infected with HPV before vaccination. However, the level of protection is less good than that obtained in a population of 16 to 26-year-olds never previously infected before vaccination. In addition, the safety profile of the Gardasil 9 vaccine is well established and deemed to be favourable, both in adolescents and young adults.

What are the objectives of this guideline ? 

The objective of this guideline, aimed at public policymakers, is to propose extension of HPV catch-up vaccination to all young adults up to and including 26 years of age to the Ministry of Health.

 However, the French National Authority for Health (HAS) highlights the fact that the priority remains continuous improvement of vaccination coverage in the main target population, i.e. girls and boys aged 11 to 14 years.

It also emphasises that vaccination is all the more effective if it is carried out at an early age, so it should not be delayed until adulthood.