Introduction:

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth-most frequent cancer in women.

Objective

: To describe HPV vaccination coverage and Adverse Events Following Immunizations (AEVF).

Material and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study, carried out in Paraguay during 2013-2023; the variables analyzed were: HPV vaccination coverage in 10-year-old girls, according to the recommended vaccination schedule: 3 doses (2013-2016), 2 doses (2017-2023), follow-up vaccination coverage at 15 years (1st dose and Final Dose), AEVF classification during 2013-2023.

Results:

The coverage intervals for the 1st dose of the HPV vaccine were: 55-73% during the pre-pandemic period (2013-2019) and 33-55% during the pandemic years (2020-2023); Final HPV Vaccine dose coverage: 1-64% during the pre-pandemic period and 5-31% during the pandemic period. The average dropout was higher during the use of a 3-dose schedule: 42 vs. 25% (p value = 0.001). Follow-up vaccination coverage at 15 years for Final Dose: 66-77%. A significant catch-up was achieved from 2019-2021: 71%, 65% and 59% respectively. Regarding the safety of the vaccine the AEFV rate: 2.1 x 100,000.

Conclusions:

HPV Vaccination coverage at 15 years was below 90%; the AEFV rate per 100,000 dose was low.

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