Analysis of low adherence to HPV vaccination among adolescents and its risks

Keywords

HPV Vaccination - cervical cancer - vaccination coverage

Introduction: Vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an essential strategy recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent cervical cancer and other neoplasms associated with the virus. The WHO recommends prioritizing vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 years, before they become sexually active, due to its proven efficacy in reducing the risk of infection. In Brazil, the vaccine was introduced in 2014, but vaccination coverage remains low, reflecting challenges in implementation.

Objective: The objective of this article is to analyze the efficacy of HPV vaccination and its adherence in Brazil to prevent cervical cancer.

Methods: This study is based on a systematic review involving the investigation of retrospective data on the number of HPV vaccine doses administered, comparing vaccine adherence with databases of reported cases of HPV-related cancer, with a particular focus on cervical cancer. Data were collected from the Vaccination Panel of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MS) and WHO databases, followed by an analytical examination of the correlations found in other studies.

Results: A survey conducted on the MS portal evaluated the percentage of the population vaccinated against HPV. The data showed that in 2022, approximately 75.8% of adolescent females were vaccinated against HPV, representing a decrease of just over 11% compared to the previous survey conducted by the Unified Health System (SUS) in 2019, when the percentage of vaccinated girls was about 87.1%. Additionally, according to the MS, HPV infection affects at least 54% of the female population and 41% of the male population who have initiated sexual activity. Moreover, according to the Pan American Health Organization, in 2018 alone, around 311,000 deaths due to complications from cervical cancer were recorded in low- and middle-income countries, where there is a low incidence of HPV vaccination.

Conclusion: Based on the systematic review, low adherence to the HPV vaccine in Brazil compromises the effectiveness of the preventive strategy against cervical cancer. The link between insufficient vaccination coverage and persistent high incidence rates highlights the need for stronger public health policies, educational campaigns, and greater accessibility to vaccination. National studies, such as those by Malta et al. and Silva et al., underscore the urgency of integrated actions to increase adherence, reducing morbidity and mortality associated with HPV.

Corresponding author: Alessandra Thomé Espada (e-mail: [e-mail]).