Expanded HPV Vaccination Eligibility for Young Adults in France
Health Authority Extends Catch-Up Vaccination to Individuals Up to Age 26
On May 13, 2025, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) in France announced an expansion of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination catch-up program to include all women and men up to 26 years of age.
This decision, welcomed by the Société Française de colposcopie et de pathologie cervico-vaginale (SFCPCV), marks a significant step in addressing cancers associated with HPV, which are responsible for nearly 6,400 cases in women and 2,700 cases in men in France each year.
Previously, the catch-up vaccination had been restricted to young girls up to 19 years old and men who have sex with men up to 26 years old.
Under the new guidelines, the vaccination is now recommended for all young adults aged 15 to 26 years, requiring three doses.
This is in contrast to the earlier schedule of two doses between the ages of 11 and 14.
The HAS's announcement aligns with the national cancer control strategy, which aims for 80% vaccination coverage by 2030. This goal supports the World Health Organization's objective of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern.
The SFCPCV has emphasized that the maximum effectiveness of the HPV vaccine is achieved when administered before age 15, preventing up to 90% of cervical cancer cases compared to only 15% effectiveness after age 20. Consequently, the organization advocates for healthcare professionals to prioritize vaccination for those aged 11 to 14 while also taking advantage of the new opportunity for those up to 26 years old who have not yet been vaccinated.
This decision, welcomed by the Société Française de colposcopie et de pathologie cervico-vaginale (SFCPCV), marks a significant step in addressing cancers associated with HPV, which are responsible for nearly 6,400 cases in women and 2,700 cases in men in France each year.
Previously, the catch-up vaccination had been restricted to young girls up to 19 years old and men who have sex with men up to 26 years old.
Under the new guidelines, the vaccination is now recommended for all young adults aged 15 to 26 years, requiring three doses.
This is in contrast to the earlier schedule of two doses between the ages of 11 and 14.
The HAS's announcement aligns with the national cancer control strategy, which aims for 80% vaccination coverage by 2030. This goal supports the World Health Organization's objective of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern.
The SFCPCV has emphasized that the maximum effectiveness of the HPV vaccine is achieved when administered before age 15, preventing up to 90% of cervical cancer cases compared to only 15% effectiveness after age 20. Consequently, the organization advocates for healthcare professionals to prioritize vaccination for those aged 11 to 14 while also taking advantage of the new opportunity for those up to 26 years old who have not yet been vaccinated.
