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While the WHO last December updated its recommendations concerning the vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) to move towards a single dose regimen, the French Society of Colposcopy and Cervico Vaginal Pathology recalls that, for the time being, the two-dose schedule is still in effect.
Things are moving to fight against the human papillomavirus (HPV). While France plans to systematically offer the vaccine to 5th graders, girls and boys, from the start of the school year next September, the World Health Organization announced last December a simpler next vaccination schedule, of only one dose ( it is currently two doses.) The objective? Significantly increase vaccination coverage and hope to halt the progression of this disease, which is the cause of many cancers, in particular of the uterus.
Anti-HPV vaccination: towards a single dose?
The WHO specifies that the single-dose vaccination schedule could offer efficacy and duration of protection comparable to a two-dose schedule. This statement is based on randomized trials that have assessed HPV antibody production or clearance.
This limitation of HPV vaccination to a single dose would also make it possible to increase the rate of vaccination coverage which is still too low in the world and has even tended to decrease in recent years, dropping from 25% to 15% of the target population. between 2019 and 2021. Simpler, this new vaccination scheme would at the same time reduce its cost.
A two-dose regimen in France… For the moment!
If the changes to the vaccination schedule to come are commendable and are preparing to simplify the protocol against HPV, the French Society of Colposcopy and Cervico Vaginal Pathology (SFCPCV) nevertheless recalls this May 10 in a press release that this one-dose schedule is not yet recommended in France.
Contacted, the president of the SFCPCV, Professor Xavier Carcopino explains to Doctissimo
“It seemed important to us to warn that this change, this simplification of the scheme announced by the WHO has not yet been validated in France, to avoid confusion, and that doctors and users alike are lost. We’ll get to that, not this year, but soon, because a more effective single dose represents a chance to vaccinate more people. But for now, in France, let’s be clear: it’s still 2 doses, 3 catch-up doses. We defend this upcoming vaccination, but the message must above all be educational and give the right information”.
What is the scheme proposed today against HPV in France?
To be even more precise, remember that:
- Anti-HPV vaccination remains recommended and reimbursed with Gardasil9® between 11 and 14 years of age with two injections 6 months apart. Catch-up vaccination is recommended and reimbursed between 15 and 19 years of age with a three-injection schedule (M0, M2 and M6).
- For men who have sex with men (MSM), HPV vaccination is recommended and reimbursed up to the age of 26 (3 injections at M0, M2 and M6).
- Any new vaccination must be initiated with the Gardasil 9® vaccine. The vaccines are not interchangeable and any vaccination initiated with Cervarix® must be completed with the same vaccine.
The classic vaccination schedule remains recommended in France for the time being, because it is the one with which the prevention of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix has been demonstrated (-88% risk of cancer if the vaccine is given before age of 17) but also anogenital lesions, or ENT lesions in men and women, and this without serious side effects whether in terms of autoimmune, neurological, vascular, or premature ovarian failure. Despite this obvious protection, HPV vaccination coverage is still too low in France: 41.5% of girls and 8.5% of boys only received two doses at age 16, the statement concludes.