Human Papillomavirus Prevalence Among Australian Men Aged 18-35 Years in 2015-2018 According to Vaccination Status and Sexual Orientation

Background Australia introduced a national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for girls in 2007 and boys in 2013, achieving high coverage. We assessed HPV prevalence among men who have sex with women (MSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 18-35 years and examined program effects. Methods Between 2015-2018, men self-collected a penile or intra-anal swab for HPV genotyping. Vaccination status was confirmed with the National Register. HPV prevalence was examined by age group and vaccination status. Results Prevalence of quadrivalent vaccine-targeted HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18) was 10.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.7%-12.8%) in unvaccinated MSW and 10.7% (95% CI, 5.7%-19.3%) in vaccinated MSW (P = .96). Prevalence was 40.3% (95% CI, 36.0%-44.8%) in unvaccinated MSM and 29.9% (95% CI, 23.1%-37.8%) in vaccinated MSM (P = .02). Among those with confirmed doses, quadrivalent types were detected in 0% (95% CI, 0%-7.7%; n = 46) of men who had their first dose at 13-19 years and 37.2% (95% CI, 27.5%-47.8%; n = 94) in those who received their first dose at 20 years or older. Conclusions Our data demonstrate the importance of universal adolescent HPV vaccination to ensure MSM receive the same benefits as MSW. This study of human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in young Australian men (2015-2018) demonstrates the importance of universal adolescent HPV vaccination to ensure men who have sex with men receive the same protective benefits as men who have sex with women.