Since January 18, a vaccination campaign has been launched to encourage girls and boys to be vaccinated against papillomavirus. A sexually transmitted infection responsible for 6,000 cancers each year.
A message for both girls and boys. An awareness campaign for vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) was deployed on social networks and on television.
Every year, papillomaviruses are responsible for cancers of the cervix and vagina. In addition, cancers of the anus, penis, or tonsils can occur in case of oral sex.
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A vaccine from 11 years old
The infection is usually transmitted during the first sexual intercourse and the vaccine is "all the more effective as young girls and boys have not yet been exposed to the risk of infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV)" indicates health insurance. To limit the risks, the campaign launched by the gynecological cancer awareness association Imagyn indicates “Before any sexual contact, the only way to avoid cancers linked to the Papillomavirus in men and women is to vaccinate our girls and boys from 11 years old”.
Indeed, since January 1, 2021, the vaccine is also recommended to boys aged between 11 to 14 years with the administration of two doses. However, for older boys, a catch-up is possible between 15 and 19 years with three doses. Until now, the vaccine has only been recommended for young girls.
In addition, administration of the vaccine is reimbursed for boys and free in some vaccination centers. By recommending the vaccine to young people of both sexes, France is committing and joining more than 30 other countries to improve the management of the papillomavirus.