Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer and other cancers, as well as conditions such as genital warts. Vaccination against HPV has been offered to children around the age of 10 through the National Immunisation Programme since 2010. At the request of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Health Council of the Netherlands has assessed the effectiveness of the HPV vaccination programme and evaluated whether adjustments are needed.
The council concludes that HPV vaccination is very effective in preventing HPV infections and cervical cancer or precancerous stages of cervical cancer. To further improve the effectiveness of the programme, the council advises to vaccinate with the 9-valent vaccine from now on. This vaccine is as effective in protecting against HPV types 16 and 18 as the currently used 2-valent vaccine, but it also protects against 7 other types of HPV causing cancer and other conditions, such as genital warts. The council advises to maintain the current 2-dose schedule for vaccination with the 9-valent vaccine.