New since 2025–2026: The HAS recommended in April 2025 extending HPV catch-up to age 26 for everyone, regardless of sex or sexual orientation. French health insurance reimbursement has been effective since 12 December 2025.
Why the change?
HPV infections cause around 6,400 new cancers per year in France, including 3,000 cervical cancers and roughly 1,000 deaths. An estimated 3.6 million young adults aged 20–26 missed the HPV vaccine in adolescence — either because male vaccination wasn't yet widely recommended, or because they weren't reached by school campaigns. Three quarters of them have not yet been exposed to HPV but are at increasing risk.
Who qualifies for reimbursed catch-up?
- All women aged 15–26 not vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated in adolescence
- All men aged 15–26 not vaccinated, regardless of sexual orientation
- Anyone who received no doses between ages 11 and 14
Not covered: people who already completed the full 2-dose course between ages 11 and 14, anyone over 26, pregnant women (vaccination not recommended during pregnancy).
If you started the course but didn't finish it, you don't need to start again. Complete it with the missing dose(s), respecting the minimum intervals.
The vaccination schedule
Started between ages 11 and 14
2 dosesCatch-up started between ages 15 and 26
3 dosesWhere to get vaccinated in France
Cost: Gardasil 9 costs roughly €50–55 per dose. With 65% reimbursement by the French health insurance, the out-of-pocket cost per dose is around €17–20, often covered by a top-up insurance (mutuelle).
Track your 3 HPV doses without losing count
The HPV course runs over 6 months. Vaxelia sets a reminder at M+2 and M+6 automatically. Nothing to memorise.
📱 Download Vaxelia — FreeSources: HAS — HPV catch-up recommendation (April 2025) · Service-public.fr (January 2026) · Vaccination Info Service · French vaccination calendar 2026. This article is for information only and does not constitute medical advice.