CORRELATION BETWEEN HPV VACCINATION COVERAGE AND HPV INFECTION PREVALENCE

Abstract

Human papillomavirus infection is one of the most widespread sexually transmitted infections and represents a major etiological factor for cervical cancer and other anogenital malignancies. Despite the availability of effective prophylactic vaccines, the global burden of human papillomavirus infection remains significant, particularly in countries with insufficient vaccination coverage. The objective of this paper is to examine the association between human papillomavirus vaccination coverage and the prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in the female population in North Macedonia. The study is based on a retrospective analysis of data obtained from the national immunization program and organized human papillomavirus screening activities conducted over several consecutive years. The analysis includes data from more than seventeen thousand tested women and evaluates trends observed before and after the introduction and expansion of the vaccination program. The results demonstrate a gradual increase in vaccination coverage accompanied by a measurable reduction in the prevalence of vaccine-covered human papillomavirus types. However, infections associated with non-vaccine virus types remain present, indicating that vaccination does not eliminate all infection risks. The findings suggest that higher vaccination coverage contributes to a lower overall prevalence of infection, but long-term disease prevention requires additional public health measures. In conclusion, the study confirms the positive impact of vaccination while emphasizing the importance of continuous screening and health education as essential components of comprehensive human papillomavirus prevention strategies.