HPV Vaccination: A Powerful Tool Against Cancer in Europe
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination stands as one of the most effective strategies to prevent cancer, yet its full potential remains unrealized across Europe. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, cervical cancer continues to claim over 27,000 lives annually in the region, with HPV responsible for this disease and at least five other cancers affecting both women and men.
Recent initiatives led by the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) and the European Parliamentary Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) aim to strengthen HPV vaccination efforts through evidence-based tools and policy guidance. These efforts align with the World Health Organization’s cervical cancer elimination strategy and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
The HPV Prevention Policy Atlas 2025: Tracking Progress Across Europe
The third edition of the European HPV Prevention Policy Atlas provides up-to-date, publicly available information on cervical cancer across all 48 countries in the European region. Developed by the EPF and supported by the European Cancer Organisation, the Atlas introduces an updated methodology that gives greater weight to Vaccination Coverage Rate (VCR), offering a clearer, action-oriented overview of national HPV prevention systems.
While the Atlas shows substantial progress in strengthening HPV prevention policies, vaccination coverage and screening rates remain far from WHO and EU targets. This indicates that despite positive developments, significant efforts are still required to achieve elimination goals.
ECO Quality Practice Guide on HPV Vaccination: Practical Solutions for Health Systems
Complementing the Atlas, the European Cancer Organisation has launched the new ECO Good Practice Guide on HPV Vaccination. Developed by leading European experts, the Guide synthesizes evidence and real-world experience from countries that have successfully improved vaccination rates. It provides practical recommendations on programme design, delivery systems, data use, and communication to assist policymakers and health systems translate commitments into effective action.
Designed as a concise, fully digital and interactive resource, the Guide can be adapted to different national contexts and used to support continuous improvement of vaccination programmes. It emphasizes that HPV vaccination must be treated as a core component of cancer prevention systems, requiring stronger integration into national cancer plans, sustained political commitment, and long-term investment.
New EU Measures to Combat Vaccine-Preventable Cancers
The European Commission has recommended new measures under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to address vaccine-preventable cancers caused by HPV and Hepatitis B. These recommendations aim to strengthen prevention efforts across member states and support the achievement of cancer reduction targets.
Together, the HPV Prevention Policy Atlas 2025, the ECO Good Practice Guide, and the Commission’s recommendations form a comprehensive framework to identify gaps in HPV prevention and implement targeted solutions to increase vaccination coverage and reduce cancer burden across Europe.
HPV vaccination is safe, easy to deliver, and has an immediate positive health impact compared to other cancer prevention strategies such as tobacco control or obesity reduction. Realizing its full potential requires coordinated action at the policy, health system, and community levels to ensure equitable access and high uptake across all populations.
HPV Vaccination: A Powerful Tool Against Cancer in Europe
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination stands as one of the most effective strategies to prevent cancer, yet its full potential remains unrealized across Europe. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, cervical cancer continues to claim over 27,000 lives annually in the region, with HPV responsible for this disease and at least five other cancers affecting both women and men.
Recent initiatives led by the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) and the European Parliamentary Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) aim to strengthen HPV vaccination efforts through evidence-based tools and policy guidance. These efforts align with the World Health Organization’s cervical cancer elimination strategy and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
The HPV Prevention Policy Atlas 2025: Tracking Progress Across Europe
The third edition of the European HPV Prevention Policy Atlas provides up-to-date, publicly available information on cervical cancer across all 48 countries in the European region. Developed by the EPF and supported by the European Cancer Organisation, the Atlas introduces an updated methodology that gives greater weight to Vaccination Coverage Rate (VCR), offering a clearer, action-oriented overview of national HPV prevention systems.
While the Atlas shows substantial progress in strengthening HPV prevention policies, vaccination coverage and screening rates remain far from WHO and EU targets. This indicates that despite positive developments, significant efforts are still required to achieve elimination goals.
ECO Good Practice Guide on HPV Vaccination: Practical Solutions for Health Systems
Complementing the Atlas, the European Cancer Organisation has launched the new ECO Good Practice Guide on HPV Vaccination. Developed by leading European experts, the Guide synthesizes evidence and real-world experience from countries that have successfully improved vaccination rates. It provides practical recommendations on programme design, delivery systems, data use, and communication to help policymakers and health systems translate commitments into effective action.
Designed as a concise, fully digital and interactive resource, the Guide can be adapted to different national contexts and used to support continuous improvement of vaccination programmes. It emphasizes that HPV vaccination must be treated as a core component of cancer prevention systems, requiring stronger integration into national cancer plans, sustained political commitment, and long-term investment.
New EU Measures to Combat Vaccine-Preventable Cancers
The European Commission has recommended new measures under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to address vaccine-preventable cancers caused by HPV and Hepatitis B. These recommendations aim to strengthen prevention efforts across member states and support the achievement of cancer reduction targets.
Together, the HPV Prevention Policy Atlas 2025, the ECO Good Practice Guide, and the Commission’s recommendations form a comprehensive framework to identify gaps in HPV prevention and implement targeted solutions to increase vaccination coverage and reduce cancer burden across Europe.
HPV vaccination is safe, easy to deliver, and has an immediate positive health impact compared to other cancer prevention strategies such as tobacco control or obesity reduction. Realizing its full potential requires coordinated action at the policy, health system, and community levels to ensure equitable access and high uptake across all populations.