Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations amongst teenagers are experiencing an uptick in Brussels and Wallonia.
According to Monday’s report by the Office de la naissance et de l’enfance (ONE) on worldwide HPV awareness day, 52.4% of Francophone adolescents received both doses last school year, up from 47.6% in 2020.
An inquiry by the region’s Vaccination Programme revealed details of the HPV vaccination status in second-year secondary students last academic year.
“Specifically, the coverages for the first and second doses respectively reached 63.6% and 55.1% among girls and 55.8% and 49.5% among boys,” ONE stated, noting these rates represent a minimum estimate, excluding not only those intending to get vaccinated but also students whose vaccination status could not be ascertained.
The HPV virus, responsible for sexually transmitted infections affecting sexual organs and the anal area, manifests in various forms. It can also cause infections in the mouth and throat and, "Nearly 80% of the population will be infected at some point during their lives."
Although generally symptomless, these infections can evolve into cancer, primarily cervical cancer in women and pharyngeal cancer in men, in about 10% of cases.
The most effective method of protection is vaccination, which is recommended for boys and girls aged 13-14. It is provided free under the Wallonia-Brussels Federation vaccination programme.
