An HPV vaccination campaign was held this Thursday at Roland-Garros Middle School in Nice for 7th and 8th grade students. Objective: to strengthen prevention and ease access to medical follow-up for adolescents.
This Thursday afternoon, a vaccination session against the human papillomavirus (HPV) was organized at the school, in the presence of representatives from the City of Nice, the Regional Health Agency (ARS), and the Ministry of Education, as well as Agnès Buzyn, former Minister of Solidarity and Health. This operation is part of a campaign rolled out since 2023 in schools in Nice.
To participate, the students were required to present parental authorization as well as their health record. A doctor verified their vaccination status before the injection. When some vaccines were missing, they could be administered on the same day.
After the vaccination, the middle school students were observed for fifteen minutes, supervised by the school nurse. Water, fruit juices, and snacks were offered to prevent any discomfort.
The former Minister of Solidarity and Health, Agnès Buzyn, emphasized the importance of vaccination for both girls and boys: “It was very useful to vaccinate boys as well as girls against the papillomavirus.” She also highlighted the benefits observed abroad: “In Australia, HPV is no longer detected in circulation.”
According to Agnès Buzyn, the gradual generalization of vaccination facilitates access to prevention: “We started offering HPV vaccination at school, it simplifies access.”
Inform and raise awareness
The school nurse, Johnny Lenzi, stresses his role in providing information: “It is to inform the parents, and to reassure the students.” He reminds that the virus can cause several forms of cancer: “The more we vaccinate all children, the more they will be immunized.”
From the students’ perspective, some shared their feelings. Adrien, 12 years old, confessed: “I was a bit stressed at first and it hurt a little.” After the injection, he added: “After the injection, they gave me cookies and fruit juices, and I felt better.”
Through these campaigns, health authorities aim to strengthen prevention, improve vaccination coverage, and raise awareness among young people about public health issues.
