Notice relating to the use of the human papilloma virus vaccine Cervarix®

The bivalent Cervarix® vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV) was granted a Marketing Authorisation (MA) variation on 18 December 2013 allowing the administration of the vaccine in two doses with a 6-month spacing to young girls aged 9 to 14 years.

Upon analysis of these new data, the French High Council of public health (HCSP) reminds that, in accordance with its notice of 28 September 2012 and the current immunisation schedule, vaccination against papilloma virus infections is recommended in young girls aged 11 to 14 years, with a limited catch-up at the age of 19.

It recommends that:

• young girls aged 11 to 14, and for whom the Cervarix® vaccine was chosen for their HPV immunisation, be vaccinated according to a 2-dose schedule with a 6-month spacing;
• for young girls aged 15 to 19 years, the 3-dose schedule be maintained;
• for girls aged 11 to 14 years who have started an immunisation course with the Cervarix® vaccine and who have received two doses less than five months apart, a third dose of the Cervarix® vaccine be administered five months after the second dose. If the first two doses were administered with a spacing of five months or more, these young girls will be deemed fully vaccinated.