Papillomavirus vaccination in France according to 2008 to 2012 Vaccinoscopie® data

Vaccination against human papillomavirus infections (HPV), introduced in the French vaccinal schedule in 2007, was recommended until the end of 2012 for 14-year-old girls, with a catch-up policy until 23 years of age. We followed the evolution of this vaccine coverage rate (VC) during these 5 years in the Vaccinoscopie (R) survey. Method. - We present the analysis of data collected in 2012 from a sample of 1136 mothers of girls 14 to 16 years of age. They answered a self-administered questionnaire on Internet and reported all vaccinations mentioned in their daughter's health record. Results. - In 2012, respectively 12.9%, 33.6%, and 48.1% of girls 14, 15 and 16 years of age had begun HPV vaccination (>= 1 dose received) and respectively 4.3%, 23.6%, and 40.5% of them had received a complete vaccination schedule (3 doses), i.e. 31.7% of 14-16-year-old girls had started the vaccination schedule and 22.9% were fully vaccinated. VC for >= 1 dose had decreased between 2009 and 2012 (-14 points in 14-year-old girls, 16 points in 15-year-old girls, and 11 points between 2009 and 2012 in 16-year-old girls). Regional VCs were heterogeneous. Conclusion. - HPV VC is clearly insufficient. It is essential that physicians concerned by HPV vaccination be mobilized and take every opportunity to inform, reassure, and vaccinate teenage girls. HPV vaccination has been recommended for girls between 11 and 14 years of age since 2013, which could help improve adherence to vaccination. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.