Supporting policies to boost vaccination coverage against cancer-causing viruses
As prevention offers a cost-effective, long-term strategy for addressing the impact of cancer on society, ESMO is supportive of increasing vaccination coverage against cancer-causing viruses such as Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). To this end, it is important that robust policies - at the national, regional and global levels - are established to make vaccines more easily accessible and raise public awareness of the health benefits of vaccines.
The European Union (EU) adopted a Council Recommendation on Vaccine-Preventable Cancers on 21 June 2024. This EU initiative sets out policy recommendations - for the consideration of EU Member States - aimed at addressing the cancer risks related to HPV and HBV infections. Although not legally binding, the EU recommendations may shape how HPV and HBV vaccination policies will be developed and implemented at national levels in Europe.
Ahead of the adoption of the Council Recommendation, ESMO advocated for the inclusion of strong measures to address the cancer risks posed by HPV and HBV infections. In line with calls made by ESMO, the final text of the Council Recommendation includes strengthened provisions to address the impact of mis- and disinformation on HPV and HBV vaccination. The Society is also especially supportive of the commitment set out in the Council Recommendation aimed at providing vaccination free of charge and/or fully reimbursing related costs for those for whom vaccination is recommended.
Although the adoption of the Council Recommendation is a positive step forward, ESMO considers it important that further EU action is taken to:
- Ensure that the ambitious goal put forward in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to “vaccinate at least 90% of the EU-target population of girls” is also set for boys;
- Support non-EU low- and middle-income countries with purchasing and producing HPV and HBV vaccines, whilst sharing best practices that have been successfully implemented in the EU;
- Make sure that the introduction and expansion of HPV and HBV vaccination programmes is used for the optimisation of national cancer screening programmes;
- Secure ring-fenced EU funding of at least €1 billion to support the Member States with implementing recommendations at the national level.
ESMO is supportive of a future review and reopening of the EU Council Recommendation, as well as the adoption of new complementary EU policies, aimed at accommodating these goals.
ESMO fully supports the efforts of the EU to bring down cancer cases caused by HPV and HBV infections and stands ready to engage with all stakeholders to drive the development and implementation of robust policies to improve vaccination against cancer-causing viruses.
For further information, please contact: publicpolicy@esmo.org