PROTECT-EUROPE - Youth Cancer Europe (YCE)

Eliminating the cancers caused by HPV through vaccination

PROTECT-EUROPE is a project co-funded by the European Union under the EU4Health Programme 2021-2027, promoting gender-neutral vaccination among young people in EU member states to prevent HPV-related cancers. The project is developed and delivered by a consortium of over 30 organisations from 16 European Union countries and it is coordinated by the European Cancer Organisation.

Watch the project presentation here: PROTECT-EUROPE Project Presentation and Testimonial

HPV causes approximately 90,000 cancer cases annually in Europe, including cervical cancer as well as anal, penile, oropharyngeal, and other types. The key objective of PROTECT-EUROPE is to help EU member states extend the roll-out of HPV vaccination, supporting the elimination of HPV-related cancers which is a major target of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. While all EU member states have introduced or plan to introduce gender-neutral vaccination (GNV) programmes, many still have sub-optimal rates of HPV vaccination uptake. Major barriers include limited access, ineffective communication, low vaccine confidence, and misinformation about vaccination. PROTECT-EUROPE aims to address these issues by engaging health ministries, national agencies, vaccination services, civil society organisations, and clinicians involved in vaccination efforts.

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a critical role in guiding young people and their parents/carers through the vaccination process and supporting them in making informed decisions. PROTECT-EUROPE developed 26 recommendations to help improve HCPs’ knowledge and skills. These include being equipped to provide strong, evidence-based recommendations about the benefits of HPV vaccination to patients, using a presumptive approach (ie. assuming that the young person will be vaccinated).

The project’s findings were translated into a series of practical outputs, including training programmes, masterclasses and a range of other tools designed primarily for healthcare professionals and civil society organisations. The online training programme comprises seven modules covering topics such as the HPV-related diseases, HPV vaccine efficacy, HPV vaccine safety, and strategies to promote vaccine confidence. A train-the-trainers programme was also developed, featuring modules that focus on the skills required to become an online tutor who can deliver the programme in local settings.

PROTECT-EUROPE coordinated ten masterclasses on HPV vaccination focusing on public health messaging and strategies to effectively target young people, their parents, and caregivers. Each masterclass includes case studies showcasing successful delivery of HPV immunisation. They explore the most impactful communication technique and creative approaches to reach marginalised communities.

The classes were designed to cater to diverse learning preferences, offering both face-to-face and flexible online learning options. Recordings of the masterclasses and other resources are available on the new PROTECT-EUROPE Hub—an open-access online repository for HCPs, policymakers, and stakeholders. The Hub includes peer-reviewed findings, best practices, training modules, public awareness tools, and links to external resources.

Masterclass 1: Breaking Barriers: Understanding HPV Epidemiology and Reaching Equity Through Gender-Neutral Vaccination. The first masterclass, which was held on the occasion of European Immunisation Week 2024, focused on the topic of epidemiology of HPV infection and why gender-neutral vaccination is key to achieve the elimination of HPV-caused cancers. You can find the recording of the first Masterclass here.
Masterclass 2: Improving Access: What are the Optimal Settings for Delivering HPV Vaccination. The second project masterclass explored the best settings for delivering HPV vaccination, including schools and pharmacies, learning lessons from experience gained in several EU countries. You can find the recording of the second Masterclass here.
Masterclass 3: Achieving Impact: Strategies for Running Effective HPV Vaccination Campaigns. In the third masterclass, speakers shared tips and strategies for running effective vaccination campaigns both online and offline, reaching a broad audience, and supporting informed decision-making. A case study on Denmark’s campaign to rebuild confidence in HPV vaccination was presented. You can find the recording of the third Masterclass here.
Masterclass 4: Exploring a Single-Dose Approach for HPV Vaccination. The fourth PROTECT-EUROPE Masterclass focused on single-dose HPV vaccination and the improved access to immunisation that this approach can bring to the table. You can find the recording of the fourth Masterclass here.
Masterclass 5: All You Need to Know About HPV Vaccine Safety. The fifth masterclass addressed common myths and misconceptions, and presented real-world data on the vaccine’s impact. Participants learned how HPV vaccination contributes to public health and the public messaging that conveys this information most effectively. You can find the recording of the fifth Masterclass here.
Masterclass 6 & 7:Let’s Talk HPV. Sixth and Seventh masterclasses were dedicated to effective communication with parents and young adults on HPV infection and vaccination. Each session approached the topic from distinct, yet equally vital, perspectives. You can find the recording of the sixth and seventh Masterclass here.
Masterclass 8: The Economic Case for HPV Vaccination: Securing Health, Saving Lives. Eighth masterclass was about the overwhelming financial incentives for HPV vaccination. You can find the recording of the eighth Masterclass here.
Masterclass 9: Eliminating HPV Cancers: Key Strategies for a Cancer-Free Generation through Vaccination. After the European Cancer Summit the smartCARE & PROTECT-EUROPE Showcase Event highlighted the main lessons and opportunities from these two flagship EU4Health projects. The recording of this Masterclass will be coming soon. Masterclass 10: No One Left Behind: Reaching Marginalised Communities with HPV Protection. Tenth masterclass explores best practices for effectively reaching and supporting at-risk communities to protect them against the human papillomavirus (HPV) through vaccination. You can find the recording of the tenth Masterclass here.