The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that a fourth WHO-prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine known as Cecolin has been confirmed for use in a single-dose schedule. According to a press statement released on Friday, the decision was based on new data on the product that fulfilled the criteria set out in the WHO’s 2022 recommendations for alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose schedules. They say this milestone will contribute to improving sustainable supply of HPV vaccines allowing more girls to be reached with the vaccines that prevent cervical cancer.
“Unlike most other cancers, we have the ability to eliminate cervical cancer, along with its painful inequities,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “By adding another option for a one-dose HPV vaccination schedule, we have taken another step closer to consigning cervical cancer to history.” More than 95% of the 660 000 cervical cancer cases occurring globally each year are caused by HPV.
Every two minutes, a woman dies from this preventable disease globally, and 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Of the 20 hardest hit countries by cervical cancer, 19 are in Africa. HPV vaccine introductions have been hampered by global supply shortages since 2018, and production challenges encountered by one of the manufacturers earlier this year led to further shortfalls, potentially impacting millions of girls in need of HPV vaccines in Afr.