HPV vaccination uptake and schedule completion among adults aged 18–45 in Switzerland: a nationwide cross-sectional study
- 1Global and Public Health, University of Zurich Institute of Epidemiology Biostatistics and Prevention, Zürich, Switzerland
- 2University of Zurich Institute of Experimental Immunology, Zürich, Switzerland
- 3Merck Sharp & Dohme AG, Lucerne, Switzerland
Abstract
Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a highly effective strategy to prevent HPV-related diseases. Ensuring both sufficient coverage and appropriate dose timing is essential to reduce disease burden. While adolescent HPV vaccination coverage in Switzerland is routinely monitored, little is known about uptake and schedule completion among adults. Here, we assessed HPV vaccination uptake, dose timing, schedule completion as well as vaccination setting among adults in Switzerland.Methods We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey in 2023–2024 among adults aged 18–45 years. A total of 3847 participants submitted vaccination records and completed a questionnaire on vaccination setting. Vaccinations received during adolescence and adulthood were included. We assessed vaccination uptake (receipt of ≥1 dose), dose timing and completion of schedules according to age and dosing-interval criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between schedule completion and age group, gender, region and vaccination setting.Results Overall, 42.8% of females and 12.2% of males received ≥1 HPV vaccine dose, with the highest uptake among women aged 18–26 years (80.4%). Among vaccinated participants, 72.7% met the criteria for a complete schedule. Among two-dose recipients, 29.0% received their second dose less than 5 months after the first, a shorter interval than recommended for a two-dose schedule. Compared with vaccination across multiple settings, vaccination exclusively through school-based programmes or paediatricians was associated with higher adjusted odds of schedule completion (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.27, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.27, and aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.28 to 4.51, respectively).Conclusion HPV vaccination uptake among adults in Switzerland remains modest, particularly among men. Although most vaccinated participants met the criteria for a complete schedule, short dosing intervals were common among two-dose recipients. Increasing uptake, clearer guidance on age-specific dosing requirements and increasing follow-up may help to improve coverage.
Related
- Factors associated with advance directive completion among older adults with and without cognitive impairment: a nationwide cross-sectional study
- Immunogenicity and safety of an interchangeable vaccination schedule of two inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccines: a multicentric, phase IV, open-label, randomized controlled trial
- Impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on cancer trends: a nationwide interrupted time series study
- Structural characteristics of maternity care institutions and midwifery workforce capacity: a cross-sectional study from Switzerland
- Trust in HPV vaccine effectiveness and safety and willingness to initiate HPV vaccination among unvaccinated female college students recruited through university-based online networks in China: a cross-sectional study
BibTeX
@article{zens2026vaccination,
title = {{HPV vaccination uptake and schedule completion among adults aged 18–45 in Switzerland: a nationwide cross-sectional study}},
author = {Kyra Zens and Nora Baer and Vasiliki Baroutsou and Selim Nur and Silvana Renner and Phung Lang},
journal = {BMJ Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1136/bmjph-2025-004710},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2025-004710},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - HPV vaccination uptake and schedule completion among adults aged 18–45 in Switzerland: a nationwide cross-sectional study
AU - Kyra Zens
AU - Nora Baer
AU - Vasiliki Baroutsou
AU - Selim Nur
AU - Silvana Renner
AU - Phung Lang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - BMJ Public Health
DO - 10.1136/bmjph-2025-004710
UR - https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2025-004710
AB - Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a highly effective strategy to prevent HPV-related diseases. Ensuring both sufficient coverage and appropriate dose timing is essential to reduce disease burden. While adolescent HPV vaccination coverage in Switzerland is routinely monitored, little is known about uptake and schedule completion among adults. Here, we assessed HPV vaccination uptake, dose timing, schedule completion as well as vaccination setting among adults in Switzerland.Methods We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey in 2023–2024 among adults aged 18–45 years. A total of 3847 participants submitted vaccination records and completed a questionnaire on vaccination setting. Vaccinations received during adolescence and adulthood were included. We assessed vaccination uptake (receipt of ≥1 dose), dose timing and completion of schedules according to age and dosing-interval criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between schedule completion and age group, gender, region and vaccination setting.Results Overall, 42.8% of females and 12.2% of males received ≥1 HPV vaccine dose, with the highest uptake among women aged 18–26 years (80.4%). Among vaccinated participants, 72.7% met the criteria for a complete schedule. Among two-dose recipients, 29.0% received their second dose less than 5 months after the first, a shorter interval than recommended for a two-dose schedule. Compared with vaccination across multiple settings, vaccination exclusively through school-based programmes or paediatricians was associated with higher adjusted odds of schedule completion (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.27, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.27, and aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.28 to 4.51, respectively).Conclusion HPV vaccination uptake among adults in Switzerland remains modest, particularly among men. Although most vaccinated participants met the criteria for a complete schedule, short dosing intervals were common among two-dose recipients. Increasing uptake, clearer guidance on age-specific dosing requirements and increasing follow-up may help to improve coverage.
SN - 2753-4294
ER -