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Vaccine-preventable cancers: EU Commission dossier on new measures

Jan 31, 2024 , , , ,
European Cancer statistics 2022 - Source: EU Science Hub

Brussels, 31 January 2024

Today, the European Commission is putting forward a Recommendation to support Member States in their efforts to prevent cancer through vaccination. Notably, it focuses on boosting the uptake of two key vaccinations that can prevent viral infections that may lead to cancer: against Human papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), as well as improving the monitoring of coverage rates.

The Recommendation is part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, a key pillar of the European Health Union. It is estimated that about 40% of cancer cases in the EU are preventable. However, according to a new report published today, only around 5% of total health spending was dedicated to prevention in the EU Member States in 2021.

Vaccine-preventable cancers

To eliminate cervical cancer and other cancers caused by HPV, such as certain head and neck cancers and other anogenitial cancers, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan has set a target for Member States to reach HPV vaccination rates of 90% for girls and to significantly increase the vaccination of boys by 2030. The Cancer Plan also aims to ensure access and increased uptake of the HBV vaccination, notably to prevent liver cancer. These vaccines are vital for protecting public health and supporting resilient health systems.

However, there is still a long way to go in reaching these objectives. Many Member States are well below 50% HPV vaccination coverage for girls with limited data available for boys and young adults, and there is a significant lack of data on HBV vaccination rates.

Today’s Recommendation includes a series of measures that Member States could take to improve the uptake of these life-saving vaccines. These include:

  • Providing vaccination free of charge and/or fully reimbursed;
  • Ensuring that vaccination is easily accessible, particularly to the targeted groups and vulnerable or high-risk populations;
  • Integrating vaccine-preventable cancer immunisation into their national cancer plans;
  • Strengthening communication efforts, particularly by highlighting the benefits of vaccination to parents, young people and target groups and addressing mis- and disinformation;
  • Improving monitoring and reporting of vaccination coverage, to identify where gaps may need to be addressed;
  • Setting a concrete target for HPV vaccination for boys;
  • Specifically for HBV, strengthen national efforts to reach the 2030 targets set by WHO:
    • 95 % vaccination coverage (3rd dose) of childhood HBV vaccination;
    • 95 % of pregnant women screened for hepatitis B;
    • 95 % of newborns who received timely (within 24 hours of birth) HBV birth-dose vaccination, including by strengthening systems for the monitoring of progress towards those targets and by making use of available support from ECDC if needed.
  • Putting strong electronic vaccination registries in place;
  • Exchanging best practices with other Member States to improve national efforts.

The Commission will also provide support to Member States in implementing the Recommendation. In particular, it will provide a model for communication campaigns, adaptable to national needs and taking into account national specificities, to help raise awareness of the importance of these vaccinations. The Commission will also assist in the work to improve monitoring across the EU, while the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will develop a new dashboard of national vaccination rates for HPV and HBV by the end of 2024, to provide a better overview of the situation.

In parallel, the EU4Health programme continues to provide significant financial support to Member States in their efforts to boost vaccination and combat cancer. A Joint Action will be launched in 2024 to support Member States to increase HPV vaccination as well as to address communicable diseases such as Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, funded with €20 million from the EU budget.

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Quote(s)

With Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan we have taken a strong political commitment to improve the lives of all our fellow citizens touched by this disease. With today’s proposal, the EU is delivering support to Member States to increase cancer prevention, with a particular focus on protecting children, young people and vulnerable populations. Prevention will always be the better way to fight cancer, and with 40% of cases being attributed to preventable causes, there is scope to make a difference.

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life

Prevention is always better than cure. Every year in the EU, almost 14,000 lives are lost to cervical cancer and over 16,000 new Hepatitis B infections are reported. With safe and effective vaccines, we have a historic opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer and other cancers caused by these viruses. Today’s proposal is a key part of our work on prevention under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, a core pillar of a strong European Health Union that protects the health of our citizens, particularly our youth. The Commissions stands ready to support Member States in every way possible to reduce the number of persons touched by cancer.

Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

Questions and Answers on vaccine-preventable cancers

31 January 2024

Why does the Commission focus on vaccination as a key tool for cancer prevention?

Vaccination against both Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can prevent viral infections that may lead to cancers. Vaccination is therefore key to protect individual and public health and to support resilient and fair public health systems.

The Commission is supporting Member States in reaching the goal set in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, to fully vaccinate at least 90% of the target population of girls against HPV and to significantly increase the vaccination of boys by 2030.

The Commission also wants to support Member States to boost HBV vaccination uptake and prevent diseases caused by the virus, including liver cancer.

What does the Commission recommend on HPV and Hepatitis B vaccination?

The Commission has put forward several concrete recommendations to support Member States in increasing the uptake of HPV vaccination amongst girls and boys and to support Member States ensure access to vaccination against Hepatitis B:

  • Strengthen HPV and HBV vaccination programmesas part of national immunisation programmes, and integrate such vaccinations in cancer prevention programmes;
  • Improve the monitoring of vaccination coverage ratesthrough electronic vaccination registries in full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation;
  • Strengthen national efforts to reach, by 2030, the targetof fully vaccinating at least 90% of adolescent/pre-adolescent girls and significantly increase the vaccination of boys. This can include offering vaccination to adolescent and preadolescent girls and boys in schools and educational settings.
  • Define a concrete goal for thepercentage of boys that should be vaccinated by 2030, in parallel to the one for girls.
  • Specifically for HBV, strengthen national efforts to reach the2030targetsset by WHO:
    • 95% vaccination coverage (3rd dose) of childhood HBV vaccination;
    • 95% of pregnant women screened for hepatitis B;
    • 95% of newborns who received timely (within 24 hours of birth) HBV birth-dose vaccination, including by strengthening systems for the monitoring of progress towards those targets and by making use of available support from ECDC if needed.
  • Continue targetedcommunication and outreachefforts, including to disadvantaged groups, and high-risk groups to highlight and explain the benefits of vaccination;
  • Engage with and exchangebest practiceswith other Member States on increasing vaccination uptake, including in the context of the Commission’s Public Health Expert Group.
Why is it important that girls and boys get vaccinated against HPV?

HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and can cause a range of conditions in both women and men. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and disappear spontaneously, but some result in diseases, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal and certain head-and-neck cancers. For cervical cancer alone, there are around 28,600 cases and 13,700 deaths every year in EU/EEA countries.

The HPV vaccines approved and used in the EU have shown to prevent more than 90% of the precancerous lesions caused by the virus. All vaccines licensed in Europe protect against the HPV types associated with over 70% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide. Together with screening, vaccinating girls and boys against HPV is therefore highly effective in preventing cancers that can occur later in life.

How widespread is vaccination against HPV in the EU today?

All EU Member States recommend vaccinatingadolescent and preadolescent girls against HPV. Many also already recommend it for boys of those age groups. Some countries are extending the recommendations to also cover young adults who did not get vaccinated during adolescence or preadolescence.

However,vaccination coverage rates vary significantly across the EU. For example, a few EU Member States have vaccinated 90% or more of adolescent and preadolescent girls, whereas this figure remains below 50% in others, and in some Member States it is as low as 1%. There is currently limited data available for vaccination uptake in boys and young adults.

Why is it important to vaccinate against the Hepatitis-B virus (HBV)?

HBV is a bloodborne virus that is transmitted from infected mothers to children, or through sexual intercourse, unsafe drug injections, contaminated blood or poor healthcare settings. Across the EU/EEA and the UK, HBV and HCV infections are responsible for approximately 55% of all liver cancer deaths and 45% of all deaths due to cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases. This amounts to around 64,000 deaths annually.

How widespread is vaccination against HBV in the EU today?

Most EU Member States recommend the vaccinationof all childrenagainst HBV. In addition, countries have various strategies in place to prevent vertical transmission, including screening of pregnant women, vaccination within 24 hours of birth, and preventative measures for children born to HBV-infected mothers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has put forward thetargetson HBV that should be reached by 2030: 95% childhood vaccination coverage, 95% of pregnant women screened, and 95% of newborns receiving HBV vaccination within 24 hours of birth. However,many EU Member States still have some way to goto reach these targets.

Many EU Member States also recommend vaccination forhigh-risk groups, such as people who inject drugs, prison populations and migrants from countries where HBV is endemic, as well as for health professionals.However, more data is needed on this vaccination uptake.

How will the Commission boost HBV vaccination rates in the EU?

The proposed Council Recommendation contains recommendations toMember States to strengthen national efforts to reach the WHO 2030 targets (see above).

Member States are also recommendedto adapt vaccination services to the needs of different target groups, including by offering vaccination in local settings and by targeting high-risk groups.

What support will be provided by the Commission?

The Commission plans to carry out a series of actions to support EU Member States in implementing the Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers.

  • Oncommunication, the Commission is ready to help Member States with evidence-basedawareness-raising campaigns, including on social media to reach younger audiences,on the importance of HPV and HBV vaccination, adaptable to national challenges and needs. It will also ask the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) to communicate regularly on the safety and effectiveness of the HPV and HBV vaccines, including through the European Vaccination Information Portal.
  • Onmonitoring, the Commission plans to support EU Member States in developing or upgradingelectronic vaccination registries, including by mapping national approaches across the EU and discussing successful ones with Member States. The Commission will also support Member States in streamlining their vaccination administrative procedures, including by sharing and discussing national approaches. In addition, the Commission will ask theECDC to create a dashboardof national data on HPV and HBV in the Member States by the end of 2024, together with national monitoring methodologies and targets. In collaboration with ECDC, the Commission will also continue to developstate-of-the-art guidanceto EU Member States on building or upgrading electronic vaccination registries to improve and strengthen the monitoring of vaccination coverage rates.
  • The Commission also intends to continue to promoteresearch, development and innovationin relation to HPV and HBV vaccines, including through the Horizon Europe programme. It will also support action to promote HPV and HBV vaccination at global level, together with international partners, such as the WHO, the OECD and UNICEF.
What is the Commission doing to tackle mis- and disinformation around vaccination?

The spread of mis- and disinformation around vaccination can affect confidence and ultimately the uptake of vaccination. To tackle this, the Commission and EU agencies regularlypublish reliable, science-based informationacross all channels and through trusted multipliers, such as healthcare professionals.

Through theUnited in Protection awareness-raising campaign, the Commission monitors social and traditional media for conversations about vaccination to identify new and emerging false narratives that could impact public health.

These efforts fit into the Commission’s wider approach to addressing online disinformation and information manipulation through theEuropean Democracy Action Plan and the Digital Services Act.

The Commission intends to develop a model for evidence-based awareness-raising campaigns on the importance of HPV and HBV vaccination as cancer prevention tools, adaptable to national challenges and needs, with a strategy to continue monitoring and addressing mis- and disinformation.

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Speech by President von der Leyen at the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan conference, via video message

31 January 2024

Deputy Prime Minister Vandenbroucke,
Vice-president Schinas, dear Margaritis,
Commissioner Kyriakides, dear Stella,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It has been three years since we adopted Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. That’s roughly 1,100 days. People who have experienced this cruel disease know the importance of each moment. The work you are doing is vital to making every day count in this fight.

Every year, around 2.7 million people in the European Union are diagnosed with cancer. If these people constituted a country, it would be larger than the population of Slovenia. And this imaginary country is predicted to grow. With cancer diagnoses and deaths set to increase across our continent. And this is simply unacceptable.

This is why we have placed the Beating Cancer Plan at the very heart of our European Health Union. Because Europe is there for people when they need it most. And together, we can reverse this rising trend. We are revolutionising Europe’s approach to fighting cancer. With 4 billion euros from the EU4Health programme and other instruments.

This is our largest budget ever dedicated to beating this disease. Invested in an unprecedented number of projects across our continent. To support patients and their families at every stage of their journey.

It is truly amazing how much we have achieved so quickly. We have strengthened prevention and early detection. We have updated screening guidelines. We have improved diagnosis and treatment. We have promoted consistently high standards of care through a planned EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres in each Member State. And to ensure a high quality of life for those affected by cancer, we have built a Europe-wide Network of Youth Cancer Survivors.

Because I know personally that this battle can often be the hardest on young people.

Even in the depths of the pandemic, we found innovative ways to continue our crucial work. And we are already making significant progress in catching up on the delay in screening and referrals. This is proof of what Europe can achieve when it works together.

But we all know, much more needs to be done. That’s why this year we are investing almost 120 million euros in multiple new projects to fight cancer. We improve personalised medicines. We integrate digital technologies into treatment and care. And we are improving protection against preventable cancers with increased vaccinations against Papillomavirus and hepatitis.As 40 percent of cancers are preventable, these new actions will help to save lives.

Today, I restate the pledge I made to you three years ago. The European Union will continue to do everything in its power to beat cancer. But we cannot step up to this challenge without the people in this room. This is why today’s theme of ‘joining forces’ is so apt. You are our champions in this fight. Together, you make the Plan a reality. I thank every one of you for your hard work. You can all be very proud of yourselves.

Dear Margaritis, I have witnessed your commitment to this mission. Dear Stella, I know how dedicated you are to this cause you hold as a priority. I thank you both for everything you have done.

Every person here knows that beating cancer is a team effort. Whether as a family, as a community or as a continent. And what could be stronger than a family that stretches across 27 countries?

I hear this message of unity and hope in the voices of the wonderful Sea of Change choir. You are performing today. Each member of this choir has in some way experienced the devastation of cancer. And has stood with us from the very beginning of this journey. I am so pleased that you are with us today.

Ahead of World Cancer Day, let us not just reflect. But look ahead. Both in this year and beyond, our European Union will continue to modernise, innovate and improve. And we will continue to fight this disease every step of the way. Because we have the opportunity to finally turn the tide against cancer. Our endeavour echoes the hopes of countless Europeans across the ages. So let’s continue in our effort to make this hope a reality.

Thank you very much.

Source – EU Commission

 

Speech by Commissioner Kyriakides at the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan conference

31 January 2024

Vice-President Jourova, dear Vera, Commissioner McGuinness, dear Mairead, Ministers, Honourable Members, dear MEP Loukas Fourlas, Dr Costa, Distinguished Speakers and Guests, Colleagues, Friends, dear members of the Sea of Change choir,

In December 2019, at the European Parliament, I gave my first speech as Commissioner on the Health aspects of my portfolio.

As you may have guessed, the speech was largely focused on cancer.

That day, I spoke of how the stars had “aligned magically” to make cancer a priority across the EU institutions.

They did so thanks to an unprecedented political momentum.

From the very outset, President von der Leyen gave Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan her personal endorsement, and I thank her warmly for leading the way.

I thank my colleagues in the College of Commissioners for sharing this vision, all of Europe’s Health Ministers for their steadfast support, and all the Members of the European Parliament.

I woud like to thank my expert and scientific advisor on the Cancer plan Dr Costa for his wise advice and dedication.

And I thank all stakeholder organisations for their tireless engagement.

As the years have flown by, with a pandemic in our path, the Cancer Plan has kept on soaring to new heights – this thanks to the shared vision and joint commitment of many of those in this room and countless persons across the EU, many of whom are following us today online.

A shared vision I personally witnessed when speaking to patients, families, doctors and nurses in the oncology centres I met in every single Member State that I visited.

When we jointly launched the work on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan in the European Parliament on World Cancer Day 2020, I said that for myself this was about turning the personal into the political, sharing my voice with that of many others to bring about change for those facing a cancer diagnosis every day.

Time had come for a Plan that aimed high and reached far.

Backed by funding of €4 billion, we have launched a record number of projects, actions and initiatives addressing each stage of this disease.

Thanks to this unprecedented action, stakeholders, healthcare professionals, patients and governments are today working closer together across the EU to improve prevention, detection, treatment and quality of life, with all actions based on the latest research and innovation.

Just today, to eradicate cervical cancers and other cancers caused by viruses, we presented in College a new Recommendation on vaccine preventable cancers for HPV and Hepatitis B – adding one more Flagship action to our prevention pillar.

After almost 20 years, we have new modern and science-based screening guidelines covering cancer types that together account for over half of all new cases diagnosed in the EU every year.

We have today a cancer training programme operating across borders and our young cancer patients are supporting each other through a Network of Youth Cancer Survivors.

We are progressing steadily to set up the first EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres by 2025 for better access to high-quality care.

Last but not least, we have launched the first ever EU-US cooperation on cancer, linking Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan with Moonshot.

What do these actions actually mean?

  • More than 450 stakeholders working together around common projects;
  • Almost €600 million in funding from EU4Health has been programmed to improve cancer care and treatment;
  • Training programmes will be expanded to 100 cancer centres in at least 15 Member States in the next year;
  • Over 200,000 cancer image series are available for healthcare professionals in the Cancer Image Europe Platform so they can develop more precise and faster diagnostics, treatments and care tools for patients.

And we still have a lot to do.

We have many challenges and problems still to address, especially as regards the unacceptable inequalities we see in cancer care in the EU.

I’ve made it extremely clear since my first day in office as Commissioner every EU citizen should have access to the same level of care.

Thanks to the first EU Cancer Inequalities Registry, we are today publishing a report with updated figures on cancer trends, showing clearly that not everyone in the EU has the same chance to survive cancer.

Equity in health is simply not negotiable.

This is one of the foundational principles of the strong European Health Union we have been building over the past years. Our work under the Cancer Plan aims to make this a reality.

Friends,

We are firmly determined to keep this momentum up, and this year will see us present measures on tackling exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including from sunbeds.

And to recognise the right to be forgotten across the EU, we will bring forward the first EU code of conduct on fair access for cancer survivors to financial services in the coming months in Brussels.

This code is a shining example of how the Cancer Plan reaches beyond health.

We will bring forward a range of actions in other important areas as well, including for personalised cancer medicines, digital technologies, palliative care for children and health literacy.

What do all these projects and initiatives have in common?

The answer is simple: people.

People looking for answers, for a diagnosis, for a treatment plan, for a decent life after cancer.

Why are these projects and initiatives important?

Because of their far-reaching impact on people, on patients, on families and friends, on healthcare professionals.

I have experienced this impact first hand.

I have worked with children living with cancer and their families.

I know what being diagnosed with cancer feels like.

I know the fear that surrounds every biopsy, every check-up, every brush with a virus like COVID-19.

I know the crushing loneliness that a cancer diagnosis can cause. Even when you are lucky enough to have support of friends and family.

I know the worry in the eyes of your family, your own worry, whether you will see your children grow.

That is why this has been such a personal journey for myself and for many others in this room today – friends, advocates who have travelled from so far just to be here.

The Cancer Plan has always been about putting people first.

That is why it is integral to the people-centred European Health Union this Commission is building.

And it is why we can be proud of what it has done for people across the EU.

The opening line of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan says, “Cancer affects us all”.

On World Cancer Day this Sunday, the slogan is Close the Care Gap. Far more unites us than divides us, whether we are young or old, irrespective of race, religion, gender, across the world, we need to close the gap – this is what this plan is about.

Actor Patrick Swayze lost his life to pancreatic cancer at the age of 57 in 2009.

He said, “together we can make a world where cancer no longer means living with fear, without hope or worse”.

And that is why we are all gathered here today.

In that first speech four years ago, I called on EU Member States, EU institutions, the pharmaceutical industry and patient advocates to join forces with us to turn the tide against cancer.

It is with immense pride – and emotion – that I stand before you today to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart for answering that call.

With you, we have made huge strides in turning that ambitious  blueprint into positive change that is making a difference to the lives of patients, their carers and their loved ones.

With you, we are bringing hope for a brighter future without cancer.

With you, I know that Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is in the safest of hands.

Source – EU Commission 

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