Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HPV vaccination coverage in the general population and in PLWHs

Abstract. – OBJECTIVE: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has de clared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) out break as a global pandemic. COVID-19 pandem ic has impacted health services, including im munization programs, with a consequent reduc tion in vaccination coverage in those categories for which the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases is strongly recommended. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study on the gen eral population and on PLWHs, comparing an ti-human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination cov erage data in 2019, before COVID-19 pandem ic, and the 2020 data, after the announcement of the pandemic state and the lockdown and the implementation of restrictive measures to con tain the contagion. RESULTS: Compared to 2019, 2020 data show a 42% reduction in HPV vaccine coverage in the general opulation and 36% in PLWHs. The greatest reduction in anti-HPV vaccination cov erage occurred during periods of greatest re striction and mainly concerned the general pop ulation. CONCLUSIONS: The prevention of vac cine-preventable diseases remains essential. Above all, it is essential to increase and recov er the anti-HPV vaccine coverage, in consider ation of the data that show its preventive onco logical efficacy