The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has the potential to prevent nearly 3,000 deaths annually in Italy due to cancers related to the infection. However, a significant lack of awareness about the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety persists among parents in the country. According to a recent survey, seven out of ten parents believe that the HPV vaccine is not useful, and eight out of ten do not consider HPV a serious disease. This misconception has resulted in low vaccination coverage, with only half of the target population, girls and boys under 12, being effectively protected.
The findings were presented during the conference “Promoting health, educating about prevention: the shared role against HPV” held at the headquarters of the Higher Institute of Health (ISS). The president of the ISS, Rocco Bellantone, emphasized the need for increased awareness and vaccination rates, stating, “Unfortunately, we are still far from the objective of vaccinating 95% of boys and girls aged 11-12 by 2030, and there remain large differences in vaccination coverage between one region and another.” He stressed that promoting vaccination is a shared responsibility among pediatricians, family doctors, parents, teachers, and gynecologists, as prevention is everyone’s right.
The European Perch project, led by the ISS in Italy, investigated the attitude of parents towards the HPV vaccine. The results showed that 40% of parents are afraid of adverse effects, and 70% perceive difficulty in reaching vaccination centers. Additionally, 6 out of 10 parents are unaware that the vaccine is free. These factors contribute to the low vaccination coverage in Italy, with no region reaching the 95% target. The coverage varies significantly across regions, ranging from 77% in Lombardy to 23% in Sicily.
Raffaella Bucciardini, scientific director of the Perch project, explained that the low diffusion of the vaccine is linked to incomplete awareness of the virus’s dangerousness and its connection to tumor development. She emphasized that the vaccine is a crucial tool in preventing thousands of deaths. A video summarizing the investigation’s results, featuring interviews with middle school students in Rome, can be viewed here.
A pilot experience conducted by the Local Health Authority of Taranto demonstrated the effectiveness of administering the vaccine in schools. By vaccinating students in 29 schools, the coverage of the complete cycle in 11 and 12-year-olds increased significantly, rising from a regional average of 57% to 73% for girls and from 45% to 67.4% for boys. This initiative highlights the potential for improving vaccination rates through targeted efforts. For more information, visit the source link Here.