HPV Vaccine: An Effective but Under-Utilized Prevention Tool

Studies have confirmed over time the efficacy in preventing HPV infections, the safety and the cost/effectiveness of vaccines authorized on the market. Vaccines have changed their composition, enriched with pathogenic strains and extending the possibility of prevention to other HPV-related cancers and diseases. The efficacy of the vaccine extends beyond primary prevention due to documented reduction in relapse of cervical lesions. Our study aimed to determine how many women, with cervical cancer or high-grade dysplasia (H-SIL), were previously vaccinated and how many had received the vaccine after these diagnoses. This retrospective study involved all incident cases of cervical cancer or H-SIL diagnosed between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2020 in Catania, Italy. We analyzed 2722 cases: 751 cervical cancers, 1901 H-SIL. 88.1% of patients had never been vaccinated and only 12% received at least one dose of the vaccine. Cervical cancer was diagnosed in women who were not vaccinated before the diagnosis. Among women with H-SIL 85% have never received a vaccination against HPV. The HPV vaccine is an underutilized intervention that has the potential to eradicate cervical cancer and reduce other HPV-related cancers. The implementation of new communication strategies can increase the number of vaccinated subjects.