The vaccination of 5th grade secondary school students against the papillomavirus, which began in autumn, is far from expectations, with a “disappointing” first balance, lamented on Thursday those responsible for the French Society of Colposcopy and Cervico-Vaginal Pathology (SFCPCV). ).
“We are starting to have the first figures, but not yet for all of France. It is estimated that between 10 and 15% of 5th grade secondary school students have been vaccinated with a first dose; the second injection will be administered before the end of June -“, declared Professor Xavier Carcopino, president of the SFCPCV and head of the gynecological surgery service at the North Hospital of Marseille, during a press conference. “This first return is disappointing: we expected around 30%, but we are far from that. We can improve.”
While the goal was “quite moderate,” “we would expect better,” said Geoffroy Canlorbe, general secretary of the SFCPCV.
A campaign started last October
In the Greater East region, which nevertheless appeared as a “good student” after an experiment that lasted several years, 7,486 5th grade students received a first injection, while the target was 19,311, according to recent data from the regional health system of the Agency disclosed by this practitioner to the AP-HP.
Some teenagers may also be vaccinated outside of university by general practitioners, paediatricians or even pharmacists.
Promised at the beginning of 2023 by President Emmanuel Macron, the vaccination campaign for 5th grade high school students against the human papillomavirus, which causes numerous cancers (cervical, ENT, etc.), began in early October. All public schools are interested, and voluntary private establishments can participate.
“Communicate more and better”
At least 30% of 5th grade students are vaccinated at the university, “I think we will not be there,” he admitted in early November to Aurélien Rousseau, then Minister of Health, expecting that some 150,000 students will be vaccinated at the university by end of the school year (of approximately 800,000 public and private secondary school students hired).
“It’s a start, it will take tenacity,” he said, referring to the heterogeneity between regions and between families, as well as the need to “adapt the tools.”
For the SFCPCV, the campaign suffered, among other things, from an administrative organization that was “a bit heavy and complicated.”
“We also need to communicate more and better about the importance of vaccinating young adolescents with a safe and highly effective vaccine” to “make cervical cancer a disease of the past in the future,” according to Professor Carcopino.
Source: BFM TV
