Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and can cause many types of cancer. Prophylactic HPV vaccination is highly effective and has been recommended in Switzerland for girls and young women aged 11 to 26 since 2007, and for boys and young men since 2015. Women up to the age of 45 can receive a booster vaccination.
HPV vaccination is well documented among adolescents across Switzerland, with 71% of girls and 49% of boys vaccinated between 2020 and 2022. However, data on HPV vaccination among adults and the factors that influence their vaccination behavior are so far limited. A national survey conducted by the Institute of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention at the University of Zurich is helping to fill this gap.
Significant differences by age and gender
The findings, based on verified vaccination data, revealed a clear pattern. Just over 27% of the approximately 3,850 adults aged 18 to 45 surveyed had received at least one vaccination. Nearly 59% of people aged 18 to 26 have been vaccinated, but the rate drops to about 16% for those aged 27 to 45.
There are also significant differences between men and women, with about 43% of women vaccinated compared to only 12% of men.
These differences may be due to the relatively late introduction of the HPV vaccine and the fact that it was initially recommended only for adolescent girls. At the same time, it emphasizes that vaccination efforts still have room for improvement. ”
Kyra Zens, lead author and senior researcher, University of Zurich
Overall, respondents can be broadly categorized into three profiles depending on how much they know about HPV and how they feel about vaccination. Among the well-informed group, about 41% have been vaccinated. For the moderate knowledge group, this percentage drops to just under 14%, and for the limited knowledge group, it drops to just 8%. “Our findings show that people’s vaccination decisions vary widely depending on what they know and how they assess risk,” says Kayla Zenz.
Lack of practitioner recommendations
Conversations with health care workers play an important role in vaccination uptake. Many of those who got vaccinated say their doctor’s recommendation was a key factor in their decision. At the same time, more than half of those who had not been vaccinated reported that they had never received such a recommendation.
Reasons for not getting vaccinated vary by group. People with limited knowledge often don’t understand the importance of HPV or the benefits of vaccination. In contrast, well-informed people often refrain from vaccination because they believe they are not in the recommended age group or have not received a clear recommendation from their doctor.
Targeted outreach
The findings also reveal that there is considerable room for improvement. In the well-informed group, about 60% of unvaccinated people would still consider getting vaccinated. Even among those with limited knowledge, about one in two remains open to it. “These results suggest that targeted information and tailored communication are key. In particular, conversations in everyday clinical settings provide important opportunities to address unanswered questions and build trust,” said Kayla Zenz.
sauce:
Reference magazines:
Zens, K. others (2026). Knowledge, attitudes and behavior towards human papillomavirus vaccination among Swiss adults. JAMA network open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.2780. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2846838.
