Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HPV vaccination coverage in the general population and in PLWHs

S. D’Amato, G. Nunnari, G. Trimarchi, A. Squeri, A. Cancellieri, R. Squeri, G.F. Pellicanò

Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Postgraduate Medical School of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. damato.esmeralda@libero.it

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• Infectious Diseases

OBJECTIVE: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a global pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health services, including immunization programs, with a consequent reduction in vaccination coverage in those categories for which the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases is strongly recommended.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study on the general population and on PLWHs, comparing anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage data in 2019, before COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2020 data, after the announcement of the pandemic state and the lockdown and the implementation of restrictive measures to contain the contagion.

RESULTS: Compared to 2019, 2020 data show a 42% reduction in HPV vaccine coverage in the general population and 36% in PLWHs. The greatest reduction in anti-HPV vaccination coverage occurred during periods of greatest restriction and mainly concerned the general population.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases remains essential. Above all, it is essential to increase and recover the anti-HPV vaccine coverage, in consideration of the data that show its preventive oncological efficacy.

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