Cervical cancer: WHO announces single-dose vaccine for HPV

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced the addition of a single-dose vaccine to its preventative arsenal against the human papillomavirus (HPV).

This decision is based on new data that meets the criteria set out in WHO’s 2022 recommendations for alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose regimens.

According to WHO, this milestone will improve access to HPV vaccines, allowing more girls to be vaccinated and preventing cervical cancer.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “Unlike most other cancers, we have the ability to eliminate cervical cancer, along with its painful inequities.”

WHO data shows that over 95% of the 660,000 cervical cancer cases occurring globally each year are caused by HPV.

A woman dies from this disease every two minutes worldwide, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Of the 20 countries most affected by cervical cancer, 19 are in Africa.

HPV vaccine production has been constrained due to global shortages since 2018, with manufacturing challenges faced by one producer earlier this year leading to further shortages, potentially affecting millions of girls needing HPV vaccines in Africa and Asia.

Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of WHO’s Department of Immunisation and Vaccines, stated: “Having 90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15 is the target of the first pillar of WHO’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.”

Global data published on 15 July 2024 shows that single-dose HPV vaccine (Cecolin) coverage among girls aged 9-14 increased from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023.

In 2023, 37 countries were implementing the single-dose schedule. As of 10 September 2024, 57 countries are implementing the single-dose schedule.

Earlier this year, countries and individuals pledged nearly $600 million in new funding for cervical cancer elimination. The funding includes $180 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, $10 million from UNICEF, and $400 million from the World Bank.

On 2 August 2024, WHO prequalified an additional HPV vaccine, making it the fifth product available on the global market.

The Walrinvax vaccine has been prequalified with a two-dose schedule. WHO states that additional data will be needed to assess whether this vaccine can be recommended for use in a single-dose schedule in the future.