Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake and the impact of school-based health services in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study.
AI interpretation is pending for this paper.
Open original publication →What the AI sees
Not AI summarized yet.
Research significance
Pending deeper interpretation.
Source abstract
INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of cervical cancer and other related diseases. Switzerland has implemented a national HPV immunisation strategy since 2007. This study examined trends in HPV vaccination coverage and valid schedule completion among adolescents in Switzerland between 2008 and 2022 and assessed differences in vaccination outcomes by delivery through school health services. METHODS: We analysed data from the Swiss National Vaccination Coverage Survey, including 46 914 sampled adolescents, of whom 32 554 provided vaccination documentation. The analysis included 16-year-old girls (2008-2022) and 16-year-old boys (2017-2022). Vaccination uptake (≥1, ≥2 and ≥3 doses) and valid schedule completion (valid two-dose, valid three-dose and valid total) were estimated using weighted proportions with 95% CIs. Differences between cantons with and without HPV vaccination delivered through school health services were assessed for the 2017-2019 survey period. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with valid total schedule completion among girls (2011-2019). RESULTS: Vaccination coverage among 16-year-old girls increased from 28.8% (95% CI 24.4% to 33.2%) in the survey period 2008-2010 to 74.6% (95% CI 72.2% to 77%) in the survey period 2020-2022 for ≥1 dose. Valid schedule completion rose substantially, particularly for the two-dose regimen after the 2012 recommendation change. Among boys, coverage reached 51.2% (95% CI 48.4% to 54%) for ≥1 dose in the survey period 2020-2022. In 2017-2019, completion of a valid HPV schedule among girls was 51.8% (95% CI 48.6% to 54.9%) in cantons with school health services versus 40.8% (95% CI 37.2% to 44.5%) in those without such services. In multivariable analyses, school health services, urban residence and French-speaking region were associated with higher odds of valid schedule completion. CONCLUSION: HPV vaccination coverage in Switzerland has improved over time, particularly following the introduction of the two-dose schedule. Delivery through school health services was associated with higher coverage and completion, highlighting the importance of organised vaccination delivery strategies.