A new vaccination campaign against the papillomavirus (HPV) is starting in colleges in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Between 2025 and 2026, two doses will be offered to students aged 11 to 14. Parental authorization remains necessary.
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According to Santé Publique France, 55% of girls and 26% of boys aged fifteen are vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) in France. In countries where vaccination in schools is established (Portugal, Canada), the vaccination coverage rate exceeds 80%.
France has followed this example since last year. But the results of the first vaccination campaign were not enough to stem the circulation of the virus. In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 11,525 students received one dose of vaccine, 9,730 received two doses during the year 2023-2024.
In other words, barely 10% of fifth grade students have been fully vaccinated in the region, according to an ARS survey. For this reason, the Agency is launching a second campaign in schools, with a formula that it hopes will be more effective.
This time, all middle school students aged 11 to 14 are targeted, and no longer just fifth graders. This age group is chosen because it often precedes the first sexual intercourse and therefore the first risks of exposure to HPV. After 15 years, vaccination is done by a healthcare professional and three doses are recommended.
A first injection is planned for the first quarter of 2025. A second during 2026. The precise vaccination dates are chosen by the educational establishments. Find out the vaccination period in your department on the ARS website.
Only Puy-de-Dôme has kept the previous vaccination schedule, with two doses in the same school year for fifth grade students only.
This vaccine is not obligatory, but recommended. Free and carried out within the colleges themselves, it requires parental authorization to be completed online, before November 25.
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) are human papillomaviruses. This is a family of viruses that can infect the skin and mucous membranes during sexual intercourse. The condom does not protect you from this.
It is estimated that 80% of adults have encountered it at least once in their life. In 90% of cases, the result is benign damage, such as warts. But papillomavirus infection leads to the formation of cancerous lesions in the remaining tenth of cases.
6,400 cancers of this nature are diagnosed each year in France, according to the National Cancer Institute. The most common being cervical cancer.
Vaccination against papillomavirus has been recommended for girls since 2006, and since 2021 only for boys.
However, they are not spared. This virus also carries risks of cancer of the penis, anus and even tonsils.
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