"Unfortunately, we are still far from the 80% vaccination coverage against human papillomaviruses targeted by the National Cancer Institute."

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are viruses whose first traces on Earth date back to Neanderthal man. Almost all of us have already crossed paths with them, and our children will undoubtedly encounter them during their lives. However, these viruses are directly responsible, in France, for 6,400 new cases of anogenital and ENT cancers per year. Their eradication would therefore make it possible to eliminate 100% of cervical cancers, more than 90% of anal cancers and more than 40% of oropharyngeal cancers, not to mention a significant proportion of vulvar, vaginal and penile cancers.

So, how can we not support the rollout of vaccination against these viruses? These vaccines exist, and, particularly against cervical cancer, they have an efficacy that reaches almost 100% when young girls are vaccinated before the age of 17 and which approaches 60% when they are vaccinated between the ages of 17 and 30 .

In France, the recommendations until now targeted young girls and boys aged 11 to 14, with a possible catch-up vaccination up to the age of 19 (the limit is 26 years for men who have sex with men). Many European countries, as well as Australia, a pioneer in this vaccination, have already opted to extend the catch-up vaccination period to their entire population, taking into account the efficacy data on the incidence of cervical cancer, even in the case of later vaccination.

In November 2024, the French High Authority for Health (HAS) published a framework note regarding a discussion on extending the catch-up vaccination period, led by the Technical Commission on Vaccinations (CTV). The CTV has just published its recommendations in favor of extending the HPV catch-up vaccination period to everyone up to the age of 26. This victory is worthy of celebration.

Although we will have to wait a few more months (in the best case scenario) before seeing the effective reimbursement of vaccine doses for 20-26 year olds, let us rejoice in the possibility of effectively protecting all our young people who have passed through vaccination. We must now organize this catch-up as best as possible, in particular targeting the most opportune moments for its promotion. Among them, Defense and Citizenship Day can be an opportunity and could then become "Defense, Citizenship and Prevention Day"... But let us not forget that the catch-up would not have to exist if we managed to properly vaccinate our children.

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