A single dose of the vaccine against: papillomavirusresponsible for cervical cancerprovides comparable protection to two doses for those under 21 years of age, the expert panel of Who is the in vaccination policy.
Cervical cancer is often the result of a sexually transmitted infection with the papilloma virus. Vaccines against it have been available since the mid-2000s.
One dose instead of two
In light of the latest data, the World Health Organization (WHO) panel of experts now considers a single dose to be sufficient to protect children aged 9-14 and also 15-20 instead of two.
Speaking at a press conference, the commission’s chairman, Dr Alejandro Craviotto, noted that these new recommendations will allow for the vaccination of a greater number of girls and women “while maintaining the necessary level of protection”. However, he said NIPs can continue to use two doses if deemed necessary.
Two doses six months apart for women over 21 years of age
In addition, WHO experts continue to recommend two doses six months apart for women over 21 years of age. “For immunocompromised people, especially those with HIV, we recommend giving them at least two or even three doses, until they are fully immunized,” said Alejandro Craviotto.
In 2020, more than 340,000 women died of cervical cancer. It is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. “About every two minutes a woman dies from this disease,” said the head of the WHO committee. About 90% of new cases and deaths worldwide in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
Cervical cancer eradication possible
“I am convinced that cervical cancer eradication is possible,” said Dr. Princess Nothemba Semelela, deputy director general of the World Health Organization, in a statement. “This single-dose recommendation has the potential to accelerate us toward our goal of vaccinating 90% of 15-year-old girls by 2030,” she said. In 2020, global coverage with the two-dose schedule was only 13%.
According to the World Health Organization, several factors have influenced the slow vaccine introduction and low vaccination coverage in some countries, including delivery problems, the relatively high cost of the vaccine, and problems associated with administering two doses to an adolescent. Girls who are not usually included in childhood vaccination programs. “The single-dose vaccine option is less expensive, less labor-intensive and easier to administer,” Princess Nothemba Semmelella summed up.
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