Experts from the WHO came to the conclusion that just one HPV vaccine protects once morest cervical cancer as well as two vaccine doses. This might mean that more girls can be vaccinated worldwide.
“The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV serotypes 16 and 18, which cause 70 percent of cervical cancer cases,” said Dr. Alejandro Cravioto, Chair of the WHO Expert Group SAGE (Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization). “SAGE urges all countries to adopt HPV vaccines and prioritize missed shots in older girls. These recommendations allow for more vaccinations and prevent girls and women from developing cervical cancer and all its consequences over the course of their lives.”
The experts recommend one or two vaccinations for the primary target group of girls aged 9 to 14 and young women between the ages of 15 and 20. Women over 21 should be vaccinated twice, six months apart. Immunocompromised people should receive three doses if possible, but at least two.
Cervical cancer has been dubbed the “silent killer,” but it’s almost entirely preventable these days. More than 95 percent of cervical cancer cases are caused by sexually transmitted papillomaviruses. In 2020, only 13 percent of girls and women worldwide were vaccinated. In low- and middle-income countries in particular, the relatively high cost of HPV vaccines is one reason for low vaccination rates.