VACCINATION AGAINST THE HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS. SOCIAL AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS IN SPAIN

Secondary prevention of cervical cancer is carried out by means of screening programs. The possibility of primary prevention by means of a vaccination has been a reality since mid-2006. Two vaccinations exist; one tetravalent and the other bivalent. Both have proven to be capable to prevent cervical cancer precursory lesions with few secondary effects. The proscribed age to administer this vaccination for all girls, at 12 years of age, implies some treatment problems. Over the long term, there is hope for a drastic reduction in cervical cancer cases and modifications in the current screening system. Health authorities expect to meet some resistance (to this vaccination) among parents depending on their ethnic origins, moral or religious predisposition, lack of information, or fear to promote sexual promiscuity without protecting against other sexually transmitted infections, fear of possible secondary effects or concern about the young vaccination age. Acceptation is greater when family precedents of cervical cancer exist, if there are older daughters, spousal support, obligatory vaccination rules or if the age for vaccination is delayed. The authors feel the social-sanitary implications of the application of this vaccination will be important in Spain. The information which matrons and nurses provide to the general public will play a fundamental role in the correct application and acceptation of this vaccination.