Understanding the influences on HPV vaccine uptake in Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia

Elimination of HPV is possible if 80% vaccine coverage in girls and boys is reached.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a role in nearly every instance of cervical cancer, approximately 90% of all anal cancers, and a substantial proportion of oropharyngeal, penile, vaginal, and vulval cancers.

However, the majority of HPV-related cancers can be prevented through HPV vaccination programmes and screening if an 80% vaccination coverage rate is achieved among male and female adolescents. Unfortunately, countries fail to meet this target.

Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia currently have very low take-up rates of the vaccine, although recent changes have improved access. It is critically important to understand the enablers and barriers to the uptake of HPV vaccination in these countries.

As a team, we have previously undertaken work in this field and we have been invited and funded, by the European Cancer Organisation, to identify and undertake a review of all existing research on HPV vaccine uptake in each of these three countries. We are also working with a team of key stakeholders in each country to ensure that we have a detailed understanding of the local contexts.

Collectively, this work will enable us to make recommendations that will inform future strategies to increase the proportion of young people who receive the HPV vaccine.