Around one in four adults in Switzerland have received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, according to a study released on Mar. 25 by the University of Zurich. The research highlights that factors such as age, gender, personal knowledge about HPV, and recommendations from healthcare professionals play significant roles in whether individuals choose to get vaccinated.
HPV is recognized as the most common sexually transmitted infection globally and is linked to several types of cancer. Since 2007, Swiss health authorities have recommended prophylactic HPV vaccination for girls and young women aged 11 to 26. In 2015, this recommendation was extended to boys and young men, with catch-up vaccinations available for women up to age 45.
While adolescent vaccination rates are relatively high—71% among girls and 49% among boys between 2020 and 2022—the study notes that data on adult uptake has been limited until now. The nationwide survey conducted by the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute at the University of Zurich analyzed verified vaccination records from approximately 3,850 adults aged between 18 and 45 years old.
The findings show that just over 27% of surveyed adults had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Vaccination rates were higher among younger adults (nearly 59% for those aged 18-26) but dropped significantly for older participants (about 16% for ages 27-45). Gender differences were also observed: nearly 43% of women had been vaccinated compared with only about 12% of men.
The study identified three groups based on participants' understanding of HPV: well-informed individuals had a vaccination rate around three times higher than those with limited knowledge. "Our findings show that vaccination decisions vary significantly depending on what people know and how they assess the risks," said Kyra Zens.
Healthcare provider recommendations emerged as an important factor influencing decisions; many vaccinated respondents cited their physician's advice as crucial, while more than half who remained unvaccinated reported never receiving such guidance. Reasons for not being vaccinated varied—those less informed expressed uncertainty about HPV’s significance or benefits from immunization; well-informed but unvaccinated individuals often believed they were no longer eligible or did not receive clear medical advice.
Despite current gaps in coverage, there appears to be considerable potential for improvement: about six out of ten unvaccinated yet well-informed adults would still consider getting vaccinated if prompted. Even among those with limited awareness about HPV or its vaccine, roughly half remain open to immunization opportunities. "The results suggest that targeted information and tailored communication are key. In particular, conversations in everyday clinical settings offer an important opportunity to address open questions and build trust," said Zens.
