ILLUSTRATION. WHO states, one dose of the HPV vaccine provides strong protection against the virus that causes cervical cancer.
Reporter: SS. Kurniawan | Editor: SS Kurniawan
KONTAN.CO.ID – The WHO Strategic Advisory Group on Immunization (SAGE) says a single dose of the Human Papillomavirus or HPV vaccine provides strong protection against HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer.
This conclusion comes after SAGE evaluated the evidence that has emerged over the last few years, that a single dose of the HPV vaccine provides comparable efficacy with two or three injections.
“This can be a game-changer for disease prevention, seeing more doses that save lives, reaching more women,” said SAGE in a press release received by Kontan.co.id Tuesday (12/4).
Often referred to as a silent killer and almost entirely preventable, SAGE said, cervical cancer is actually a disease of inequality of access.
This is because the HPV vaccine campaign into the immunization program is slow moving and has low coverage of the overall female population, especially in poor countries.
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The cause of more than 95% of cervical cancers is sexually transmitted HPV, which is the fourth most common type of cancer in women, with 90% living in low- and middle-income countries.
“The HPV vaccine is very effective for the prevention of HPV serotypes 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers,” said Alejandro Cravioto, Chair of SAGE.
“SAGE urges all countries to promote the HPV vaccine and prioritize multi-age groups to catch up and older groups of girls,” he said.
“This recommendation will enable more girls and women to be vaccinated, and thereby prevent them from cervical cancer and all its consequences during their lifetime,” he stressed.
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SAGE recommends updating the dose for the HPV vaccine:
- One or two doses to target girls aged 9-14
- One or two doses for young women aged 15-20
- Two doses at 6-month intervals for women older than 21 years
- Immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV, should receive three doses if possible, and if not, at least two doses. There is limited evidence of single-dose efficacy in this group.
WHO Assistant Director-General Princess Nothemba Simelela said the option for a single dose of the HPV vaccine is cheaper, less resource intensive and easier to administer.
“This facilitates implementing catch-up campaigns for different age groups, reduces the challenges associated with tracking girls for their second dose, and allows financial and human resources to be diverted to other health priorities,” he said.
