Early effects of human papillomavirus vaccination in Belgium

Eur J Cancer Prev. 2015 Jul;24(4):340-2. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000067.

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been reimbursed in Belgium since 2007 for girls (12-15 years), extended to girls up to 18 years in 2008. This study assesses the trend of HPV 16/18 infections in women less than 25 years of age participating in opportunistic cervical cancer screening. A significant reduction in the prevalence of HPV 16 [relative risk (RR)=0.61, 95% confidence interval=0.39-0.95] and a nonsignificant reduction in HPV 18 (RR=0.65, 95% confidence interval=0.29-1.48) was found in the youngest group (15-19 years). The prevalences in the older age group did not change significantly. These findings show the early effects of HPV vaccination and confirm the effectiveness of immunization in a real-life setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Female
  • Human papillomavirus 16*
  • Human papillomavirus 18*
  • Humans
  • Papanicolaou Test
  • Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Poisson Distribution
  • Prevalence
  • Regression Analysis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Vaginal Smears
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines