Protects against the main causes of cervical cancer, from which about 179,000 women died in 2020 in lower-income countries.
Protects against the main causes of cervical cancer, from which about 179,000 women died in 2020 in lower-income countries.
Latest articles about HPV Routine vaccines: HPV
HPV vaccine coverage increased from 7% in 2019 to 10% in 2022. This was largely driven by countries introducing the vaccine into their national immunisation programmes. By the end of 2022, 32 countries had successfully launched their HPV vaccine national programme with Gavi support, fully immunising more than 16.3 million girls since 2014, which translates to over 387,000 cervical cancer deaths averted with Gavi support.
In April 2022, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommended a one- or two-dose schedule for HPV vaccine; subsequently, the WHO position paper was released in December 2022. In response to this potential gamechanger for Gavi’s HPV vaccine programme – and to overcome the challenges and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HPV vaccine delivery – in December 2022, the Gavi Board approved the revitalisation of Gavi’s HPV vaccine programme. This revitalisation initiative committed to reach 86 million adolescent girls with HPV vaccine by 2025 through: (1) accelerating quality introductions; (2) rapidly improving global and national coverage; and (3) generating long- term programmatic sustainability.
With efforts underway to strengthen programme delivery and facilitate more introductions, and long-standing supply challenges easing thanks to increased vaccine production and the new one-dose recommendation, coverage is expected to further increase in the coming years.
Cervical cancer caused 179,000 deaths in 2020 in lower- income countries. However, human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with over 90% of these cancers, and vaccination provides high protection against cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine has amongst the highest impact of all Gavi-supported vaccines, with 17.4 deaths averted per 1,000 children vaccinated, and is the key intervention towards achieving the global strategy for cervical cancer elimination.
HPV vaccination is critical to reducing cervical cancer, especially in lower-income countries with a high disease burden and less developed cervical cancer screening and treatment programmes. It is also a bridge to improving women’s and girls’ health through increased touchpoints with health services, and therefore an opportunity to positively impact gender equity.
Historically, the high cost of HPV vaccine, limited supply and challenges of reaching adolescent girls to deliver immunisation have been barriers to introduction in lower-income countries. Gavi is working to bridge the equity gap by providing support for HPV vaccine and ensuring sustainable prices. Gavi supports HPV vaccines for national introduction, with immunisation of multi-age cohorts of girls aged 9–14 years.
These objectives have been facilitated by an easing of global HPV vaccine supply constraints, the permissive recommendation by SAGE for a one-dose schedule (compared with the two-dose schedule) and the waning of COVID-19 pandemic-related delivery disruptions. Nonetheless, by end 2022, over 16 million girls had been reached with HPV vaccine with Gavi support.
In December 2022 the Gavi Board approved the revitalisation of the Alliance’s HPV vaccine programme with a US$ 600+ million investment through 2025. With the additional funding in place, the Alliance has set an ambitious goal to reach over 86 million girls with HPV vaccine by 2025, aiming to avert over 1.4 million future deaths from cervical cancer.
The revitalisation will allow Gavi to dedicate additional funding to help countries and partners reach more girls than ever with this life-saving vaccine – through expanded funding for vaccines, introduction and campaign costs;, and expanded support for technical assistance.
Gavi-eligible countries can also utilise health system strengthening (HSS) funding to develop tailored approaches to improve and sustain HPV vaccination coverage.
Gavi procures three HPV vaccines that have been prequalified by WHO. Through long-term agreements with manufacturers, supply is likely to be sufficient to meet the ongoing demand for delayed MAC catch-up campaigns and routine introductions, supported by the adoption of a one-dose schedule by countries, and suppliers ramping up production.
"A miracle": bereaved by cervical cancer, Nigerian vaccine advocate champions HPV jab
Chika Offor resolved that nobody should suffer as her mother did, nearly three decades ago. Now the head of an Abuja health NGO, she tells VaccinesWork what she and her team are doing to make good on that commitment.
The Government of Togo will introduce the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine its into routine immunisation system to prevent cervical cancer on Monday, 4 December 2023. Several other local partners, and the private health sector, are supporting…
This Nigerian's campaign for the HPV jab is a fight against more than cancer
Samuel Adeyinka has spent his adulthood fighting for better lives for the urban poor. His latest tool in that battle is the jab that blocks cervical cancer – an inequitable killer that preys most heavily on the disadvantaged.
Nigeria’s HPV jab roll-out gathers momentum as wary mothers come aboard
In rural Ogun, mothers balked as scary rumours about the cancer-blocking jab swirled. Eric Dumo learned how a diverse bunch of community campaigners are changing their minds and tackling misinformation.
What can we learn from HPV vaccine delivery costs?
New study results can inform planning and budgeting for sustainable human papillomavirus vaccination programs.
“One death is catastrophic enough”: Kenyan men campaign for HPV vaccination
Three men from Siaya county are making it their mission to protect the next generation of girls in their village from cervical cancer.
Bangladesh’s first public HPV vaccine roll-out gathers momentum
Almost 5,000 women in Bangladesh die each year of cervical cancer – but following the introduction this month of the HPV jab into the routine vaccination schedule, the next generation will be forearmed.
Nigeria to vaccinate 7.7 million girls against leading cause of cervical cancer
Nigeria today introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunisation system, aiming to reach 7.7 million girls. This is the largest number in a single round of HPV vaccination in the African region in a vaccination drive…
Nigerian girls look forward to roll-out of cancer-blocking jab
As the first phase of the country’s HPV vaccine campaign gets set to launch, leaders promise no eligible child will be left out.
Bangladesh takes major step to reduce cervical cancer deaths
Bangladesh is rolling out a nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in a phased manner, starting in the Dhaka division on October 15. Upon the campaign’s completion, HPV vaccine is expected to be added to the country’s routine…
Bangladesh’s remarkable journey to introduce the HPV vaccine
Earlier this month Bangladesh introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation programme, meaning millions of girls will be protected against the leading cause of cervical cancer. Dr Tanvir Hossen, of the country’s Expanded Programme on…
Cartoon heroes: the comic book teaching Ugandan kids the value of HPV vaccination
Cervical cancer kills thousands of Ugandan women each year. That’s what the “Adventures of Adriko and Nampijja” is trying to change.
Eligible countries can access detailed guidelines to manage the support they receive from Gavi.
