While several studies plead in favor of vaccination against the human papillomavirus, the French vaccination authority proposes to vaccinate at school, in order to cover more young girls.
Vaccinate at school: the hypothesis returns to the carpet. The High Council of Public Health (HCSP) publishes this September 10 a new opinion on vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV). It coincides with the presentation of several studies which provide the first results of vaccination in certain countries, notably Denmark. For the first time, they confirm the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing precancerous lesions of the cervix.
The success of the Danish model
The efficacy of the papillomavirus vaccine in preventing genital warts and infections has already been demonstrated on several occasions. It was confirmed by an Australian study, which found half the number of condylomas in two years. But it is the results of research carried out in Denmark that excites the most. Since the start of vaccination campaigns in 2006, precancerous cervical lesions have declined by 73% in the country.
Immunization coverage is also excellent: 80% of young girls aged 12 to 15 have received the two necessary doses. In catch-up (16-27 years), 6 out of 10 young women benefit from the vaccine. Far from the 30% vaccination coverage observed in France. This Danish success is explained by a combination of ingredients favorable to vaccination.
Listen to Dr Birgitte Baldur-Felskov, researcher at the Danish Cancer Society Research Center: “ We have few groups that campaign against vaccination, our general practitioners are also very involved and recommend it to young girls. “
The French semi-failure
France, for its part, is one year behind in the launch of vaccination. But it is undoubtedly the controversies surrounding the vaccine that have slowed down the families the most: the many complaints filed after the testimony of Marie-Océane Bourguignon, suffering from multiple sclerosis after her vaccination, have tempered the enthusiasm.
The vaccine remains safe, says the Prof. Catherine Weil-Olivier, professor of pediatrics at the University of Paris-Diderot. Contacted by why actor, she recalls that the latest studies still add evidence of its effectiveness. However, the “model” countries remain far ahead in terms of immunization coverage.
Listen to it Prof. Catherine Weil-Olivier, professor of pediatrics: ” The only programs that have really worked are countries that have accepted school vaccination. “
Denmark is an exception here: it has not implemented school vaccination. It is the general practitioners who play the role of driving force.
Recommendations inspired by abroad
To develop its new opinion, the High Council of Public Health decided to draw the best from the different countries. School-based vaccination has proven successful in Australia and the UK. It has two advantages, as explained by the director of the Technical Committee on Vaccinations at the HCSP, Prof. Daniel Floret : “School vaccination improves immunization coverage. It also addresses another worrisome problem, which is that it is likely that the girls who get the vaccine are the women who get tested. This means that the vaccine, currently, is not reaching those who need it most. The Haut Conseil therefore recommends following the trend.
In contrast, the HCSP is directly inspired by Denmark for organized screening. Set up in France in 2007, as an experiment, it has remained at this stage: only 10 departments, including Alsace, apply it.
Listen to Pr Daniel Floret, Chairman of the Technical Committee for Vaccination: “ In the 10 departments, we arrive, at best, at 75%. The recommendation is to generalize, while knowing that, in other countries where this is the case, we do not reach 80%. “
For Professor Floret, vaccination and screening should be considered as “two complementary strategies. “Without this, France will not be able to improve its figures.
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