Papillomavirus (HPV) infections are responsible for more than 6,000 cases of cancer per year (cervical cancer, ENT cancers, genital cancers, anal cancer, etc.) in France, according to the National Institute of cancer, but also other pathologies that can be debilitating. However, a vaccine exists and it is particularly effective if it is administered before the start of sexual life. There is a strong public health issue since HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection.
Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday the establishment of a free vaccination campaign from the start of the school year for 5th graders, boys and girls. In each region, the regional health agencies are organizing information for families this summer so that they can make an informed choice at the start of the school year. The authorization of both parents is necessary for the minor to be vaccinated in his establishment.
No travel or rest for families
Thanks to agreements with the vaccination centers, the colleges will host mobile teams within them. For 5th graders whose families have given permission, there will be a first dose at the start of the school year and “a second between April and June 2024, so that it is carried out before the summer before there are possible movements of pupils, ”points out Benoît Elleboode, director general of the ARS in New Aquitaine. The two injections at a cost of 76 euros will be free, that is to say without any remaining charge for the families, within the framework of this campaign.
At the end of 2021, 45.8% of 15-year-old girls had received a dose of the vaccine, and only 6% of boys of the same age nationally. In New Aquitaine, vaccination coverage is slightly higher with 46% for young girls and 9% for boys. In this region, it is a question of vaccinating 70,000 pupils of 5th grade, by partnering with 22 vaccination centres.
A safe and effective vaccine
The effectiveness of the vaccine, on which we have a lot of hindsight after 600 million injections carried out in the world, is greater than 90% when it is administered before the start of sexual life. The Grand Est was the first region to experiment with this vaccination in schools for 5th graders, for two years, with conclusive results. The vaccination rate in this region increased from 9% to 27% in the first year and from 14% to 31% in the second.
“We are aiming for a membership rate of around 25%, specifies the director general of the ARS. It should be remembered that some will prefer vaccination by their family doctor and that others have already received their doses”. The information campaign will endeavor to demolish the received idea according to which girls are more affected than boys, by encouraging vaccination for both sexes.
“Here it is an experiment that will last over time, concludes Benoit Ellboode, and which will be renewed each year. In four years, we will put in place the same system for 16-year-old students.