…New data boosts HPV vaccine supply as countries ramp up efforts to prevent cervical cancer.
By Bunmi Yekini
In a major advancement for cervical cancer prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the approval of a fourth prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Cecolin, for use in a single-dose schedule. This decision follows new data confirming that Cecolin meets WHO’s 2022 recommendations for alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose formats.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the global importance of this approval, stating, “Unlike most other cancers, we have the ability to eliminate cervical cancer, along with its painful inequities. By adding another option for a one-dose HPV vaccination schedule, we have taken another step closer to consigning cervical cancer to history.”
Cervical cancer remains a leading health threat, with more than 95% of the 660,000 cases occurring annually caused by HPV. Disturbingly, 90% of these deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries, with 19 out of the 20 most affected nations located in Africa.
Global efforts to introduce HPV vaccines have been slowed due to supply shortages since 2018, a situation further exacerbated by recent production challenges earlier this year. However, with the introduction of Cecolin for single-dose use, countries now have expanded options to vaccinate more girls and prevent cervical cancer.
Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHO’s Director of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals, highlighted the importance of this development, saying, “Given the continuing supply challenges, this addition of single-dose vaccine product means countries will have greater choice of vaccines to reach more girls.”
Data released in July 2024 shows that the global one-dose HPV vaccine coverage among girls aged 9-14 years has increased from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023. Currently, 57 countries have adopted the single-dose schedule, up from 37 in 2023. WHO estimates that this expansion has enabled an additional 6 million girls to be vaccinated in 2023 alone.
Alongside Cecolin, WHO also prequalified another HPV vaccine, Walrinvax, on August 2, 2024. Walrinvax is initially approved for a two-dose schedule, with future research to determine its suitability for single-dose use. With this latest approval, five HPV vaccines are now available, enhancing global supply and supporting efforts to meet the WHO target of vaccinating 90% of girls by the age of 15.
These developments are backed by significant financial commitments, including US$ 600 million in new funding toward eliminating cervical cancer, with contributions from organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the World Bank, and Gavi.