Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines can prevent viral infections that may lead to cancer. These vaccines are therefore vital in protecting both individual and public health and in supporting resilient and fair health systems.
In 2024, - after a Commission proposal - the Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers was adopted to support EU countries in boosting the uptake of vaccination against Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Recommendations to EU countries include:
- facilitating access to vaccination
- targeted communication on the importance of HPV and HBV vaccination in a cancer prevention perspective
- better monitoring of vaccination coverage rates to inform public health action
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer. However, HPV can cause cancer in both women and men.
One of the goals of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is to eliminate cervical cancer by vaccinating young people against the Human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes it and is also linked to head and neck, and anal cancers.
Specifically, the Plan calls for vaccinating at least 90% of the EU’s target population of girls and for significantly increasing the vaccination rate among boys.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Infection with HBV can become chronic and develop into chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Despite a steady decline in the overall incidence of HBV over time due to effective vaccination programmes and other prevention strategies, it is estimated that approximately 3.2 million people in Member States and EEA countries are living with a chronic HBV infection.
Most Member States recommend vaccinating all children against HBV. They also have various strategies to prevent mother-to-child (vertical) transmission, including maternal screening during pregnancy, vaccination of infants with the first HBV vaccine dose within 24 hours from birth, screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
Many Member States also have HBV vaccination recommendations for groups at high risk, including health care workers.
Funded by the EU4Health programme, the Joint Action SHIELD (Strategies for Health Interventions to Eliminate Infection related Cancers) will support Member States in increasing HPV and HBV vaccination coverage, enhancing monitoring systems, and developing comprehensive biomedical prevention programmes targeting HPV, HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV and tuberculosis.
Previously, the Joint Action on PartnERship to Contrast HPV (JA PERCH), supported Member States’ efforts to extend the roll-out of routine HPV vaccination.
Additionally, the Commission supported the development of a Communication Model for Building Awareness and Countering Misinformation and Disinformation on HPV and HBV Vaccination, which provides practical guidance to Member States for evidence-based public communication. Through the Joint Action SHIELD, this model will be translated into concrete awareness-raising campaigns promoting HPV and HBV vaccination as effective cancer prevention tools.
