This document summarises evidence from studies included in the licensing file of HPV vaccines together with postlicensure, peer-reviewed data and analysis where available. This guidance does not address the safety of HPV vaccines observed during the pre- and post-licensing period.
In January 2008, a panel of ECDC experts produced the Guidance for the introduction of HPV vaccines in EU countries. Since then, the European Union has come a long way: most countries have implemented national vaccination programmes for adolescent girls and a significant number have also introduced catch-up programmes for young women.
Current childhood vaccination schedules are the result of historical tradition, compliance with provision of health services and national vaccine registration. They have been designed on the basis of different needs related to how the healthcare system – but also the education system – is organised at national level.