why vaccinate college students to fight against the papillomavirus?

To fight against cancers linked to the papillomavirus, also known by the abbreviation HPV, the government will launch a vaccination campaign from the start of the school year for 5th graders. “HPV is responsible, each year in France, for more than 6,000 cancers, 4,000 in women, 2,000 in men”, details Damien Mascret, doctor and journalist, present on the set of 19/20, Tuesday February 28. However, two thirds of these cancers are preventable if we are vaccinated. The authorities are taking a step back on this vaccine. Australia, the first country to launch a widespread campaign, saw the number of infections drop among women, from 23% in 2005 to 1.5% in 2015.

Vaccination coverage tripled during an experiment

A vaccination campaign in colleges would aim to increase vaccination coverage. In France, only 37% of girls are vaccinated and 9% of boys. A vaccination experiment at school was carried out in the Grand Est in 5th grade classes. “Vaccination coverage has increased threefold, maybe that’s what will happen with this new campaign”concludes Damien Mascret.