HPV vaccination New recommendations for adolescents posted

RKI recommends HPV vaccines for adolescent men

The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) regularly announces vaccination recommendations based on the current state of knowledge and research. The new recommendation is aimed in particular at the age group of young men aged between nine and 14 years. New is, for example, the recommendation of a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), which should protect against precancerous lesions.

For girls, the STIKO recommends the HPV vaccine since 2007. According to the latest findings, the RKI considers this vaccine to be useful even for boys. "The vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) effectively protects against HPV infection and resulting precancerous lesions," said Lothar H. Wieler, President of the Robert Koch Institute in a press release from the Institute.

With the new HPV vaccination recommendation, the Robert Koch Institute wants to prevent thousands of cancer cases ... (Image: esben468635 / fotolia.com)

HPV vaccination is considered safe and safe

Does the HPV vaccine really provide safe protection? "The vaccine is very safe, more than 270 million HPV vaccines have been administered worldwide without significant vaccine complications," the RKI writes. Only at the beginning of 2018 did a comprehensive evaluation confirm the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine.

Vaccination has not yet prevailed

"I hope that as many boys as possible use the HPV vaccine and the new recommendation is also a further impetus for girls who have not yet been vaccinated to catch up with the vaccine," explains Wieler. According to the expert, far too few girls are still vaccinated with the cervical protective agent. In 2015, according to RKI figures, just under 45 percent of all 17-year-old teenage women were fully vaccinated against HPV. Thus, the indirect protection for boys hoped for by the STIKO did not materialize. This justifies the new recommendation to also vaccinate adolescent men with the HPV drug. This should result in a better common overall protection.

HPV infections also dangerous for men

Every year around 4,600 women in Germany contract cervical cancer. In almost all cases, HPV infection is responsible. In males, the virus is associated with the development of penile and anal cancer. Furthermore, it should be involved in cancer of the oral cavity and throat. According to RKI estimates, about 600 anal cancers, 250 penile cancers and 750 carcinomas in the oral cavity or pharynx each year are due to HPV infection.

Germany as a pioneer in this vaccination recommendation

According to RKI, Germany is one of the first European countries to recommend an HPV vaccine for adolescent men. The decision on this step is based on criteria of evidence-based medicine. For example, the burden of disease from HPV-associated tumors in men in Germany was estimated and a systematic review of the literature on the efficacy and safety of HPV vaccination in boys and men was initiated.

Thousands of cancers are to be prevented

In addition, the expected effects of HPV vaccination in boys were estimated by mathematical modeling. The result of this model was clear. It showed that in the long term thousands of cancers can be avoided. A federal committee will decide on the enforcement of the recommendation within the next three months. Detailed information on this topic is provided by the RKI published Epidemiological Bulletin 26/2018. (Vb)