HPV infection in women can result in precancerous lesions in the cervix. Every year, adolescent girls are vaccinated to limit the risks. But the infection is transmitted during sexual intercourse, it is now advisable to also vaccinate young boys as explained by Jimmy Mohamed on Friday on Europe 1. 

Cervical cancer is one of the few that can be prevented so effectively.

It is often linked to a papillomavirus infection, which can be reduced with the injection of a vaccine.

The vaccine is now offered to young girls aged 11 to 14, or even up to 19 years old.

The health consultant of Europe 1, Jimmy Mohamed explains to you on Friday morning in his column

Notre Santé

 why it is important to vaccinate young boys as well.

80% of women exposed to papillomavirus in their lifetime

"HPV or papillomavirus infection is extremely common: around 80% of women will be exposed to these viruses during their lifetime. Papillomaviruses are transmitted mainly during sexual intercourse, but hardly ever give any symptoms. Most of the time. , the infection is mild, but when it persists, it eventually causes precancerous lesions in the cervix, which can later develop into full-blown cancer.

It is possible to detect this cancer very early thanks to screening: a smear must be carried out from the age of 25 every three years.

But in addition, there is a vaccine against certain papillomaviruses to reduce this risk of precancerous lesions.

Not enough adolescent girls vaccinated in France

So far, this vaccine has been offered to young girls aged 11 to 14, with a possible catch up to 19 years.

The ideal is to offer it before the start of sexual life, because its effectiveness is close to 100%.

To date, more than 100 million children and adolescents have been vaccinated in nearly 80 countries.

>> Find Jimmy Mohamed's column every morning at 8:37 am on Europe 1 as well as in replay and podcast here

In some countries such as Australia or England, where a large number of young girls have been vaccinated, the number of new cases of precancerous lesions of the cervix has markedly decreased, or even almost disappeared.

Unfortunately, in France, vaccination coverage is insufficient.

We are less than 30% vaccinated, while the goal is to exceed 60%.

Achieve a form of collective immunity

This vaccine has been reimbursed since January 1 for boys aged 11 to 14 with a possible catch up to 19 years as well.

They are also carriers of papillomavirus.

Vaccinating them would, in a way, lower the circulation of the virus, a bit like with the coronavirus, with a form of collective immunity.

It is therefore a way to protect women, but not only: more than 25% of cancers linked to the papillomavirus also occur in men. The vaccination protects him against cancers other than that of the cervix. It is supported at 65% by health insurance and the rest in general by mutual societies. And for those who would like to know more, I recommend that you take a look at the Vaccination Info service or simply talk about it with your doctor ".