Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage in Luxembourg – Implications of lowering and restricting target age groups. Issue 18 (25th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Latsuzbaia, Ardashel; Arbyn, Marc; Weyers, Steven; Mossong, Joël
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 36:Issue 18(2018)
• Page Start: 2411
• Page End: 2416
• Publication Date: 2018-04-25
• Subjects: Bivalent vaccine -- Cervical cancer -- HPV vaccine -- Human papillomavirus -- Quadrivalent vaccine -- Vaccination coverage; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.03.054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: HPV vaccination coverage of 62% in Luxembourg was moderate. HPV vaccination coverage varied by nationality and geographical region. Vaccination policy changes in 2015 had no major impact on coverage. Abstract: Background: In Luxembourg, a national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme was introduced in 2008, targeting 12–17 year old girls offering a choice of bivalent or quadrivalent vaccine free of charge. In 2015, the programme was changed offering the bivalent vaccine only to 11–13 year old girls. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HPV vaccination coverage, to assess the impact of age target changes and compare vaccination coverage to other European countries. Methods: Anonymous HPV vaccination records consisting of individual vaccine doses obtained free of charge in pharmacies between 2008 and 2016 were extracted from the Luxembourgish Social Security database. Additional aggregate tables by nationality and municipality were analysed. Results: Of the target cohort of 39, 610 girls born between 1991 and 2003 residing in Luxembourg, 24, 550 (62.0%) subjects obtained at least one dose, 22, 082 (55.7%) obtained at least two doses, and 17, 197 (43.4%) obtained three doses of HPV vaccine. The mean age at first dose was 13.7 years during 2008–14 and 12.7 years in 2016 after the age target change. Coverage varied significantly by nationality (p < 0.0001): Portuguese (80%), former Yugoslavs (74%), Luxembourgish (54%), Belgian (52%), German (47%), French (39%) and other nationalities (51%). Coverage varied also by geographical region, with lower rates (<50%) noted in some Northern and Central areas of Luxembourg (range: 38% to 78%). Conclusion: Overall HPV vaccination coverage in Luxembourg is moderate and varied by nationality and region. The policy changes in 2015 did not have a substantial impact except lowering age at initiating vaccination. Options to improve coverage deserve further investigation.