The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified Cecolin®, a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, for use in a single-dose regimen to help prevent cervical cancer. In a statement released on Friday, WHO announced that Cecolin® met the criteria set out in its 2022 recommendations for the alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose schedules. According to WHO, this approval will contribute to a more sustainable supply of HPV vaccines, potentially enabling more girls to be vaccinated and protected against cervical cancer.
“This important milestone will contribute to improving sustainable supply of HPV vaccines, allowing more girls to be reached with the vaccines that prevent cervical cancer,” the WHO statement read. Related Stories WHO partners TikTok to fight social media misinformation on health Africa has received $1 billion to combat Mpox-CDC Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, highlighted the importance of this development in the global fight against cervical cancer.
He emphasized that cervical cancer, unlike most other cancers, can be eliminated with the right interventions. “By adding another option for a one-dose HPV vaccination schedule, we have taken another step closer to consigning cervical cancer to history,” Ghebreyesus stated. He pointed out that more than 95% of the 660,000 cervical cancer cases reported annually are caused by HPV, with 90% of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
In addition to Cecolin.
