The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cecolin® has been prequalified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for use in a single dose regimen to help prevent cervical cancer.
The WHO declared on Friday that Cecolin® satisfies the requirements outlined in its 2022 recommendations for the off-label, alternative use of HPV vaccinations in single-dose schedules.
The World Health Organisation states that this approval will help ensure a more stable supply of HPV vaccines, which could lead to more girls receiving the shot and being protected from cervical cancer. The WHO said, “This significant milestone will help improve the sustainable supply of HPV vaccines, allowing more girls to receive the vaccines that prevent cervical cancer.”
Elimination Of Cervical Cancer
The Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, emphasised the significance of this discovery in the worldwide battle against cervical cancer. He stressed that, in contrast to most other diseases, cervical cancer is curable with the appropriate care.
Ghebreyesus declared, “We have taken another step closer to consigning cervical cancer to history by adding another option for a one-dose HPV vaccination schedule.”
He emphasised that 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income nations, and that HPV is the cause of more than 95% of the 660,000 instances of cervical cancer that are recorded each year.
On August 2, 2024, the WHO prequalified Walrinvax®, a fifth HPV vaccination, in addition to Cecolin®. In addition to expanding the worldwide market, this vaccination offers a vital new weapon in the fight against cervical cancer. Walrinvax® is now licensed for use in a two-dose regimen; however, more research may eventually permit a single-dose schedule.
Effects Of The Scarcity Of HPV Vaccines
The introduction of HPV vaccines has been hampered since 2018 due to supply limitations, according to Dr. Kate O’Brien, Director of WHO’s Department of Immunisation, Vaccines, and Biologicals. Millions of girls in Asia and Africa are affected by the problem, which she claimed was made worse by production issues earlier this year.
“Having 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by 15 years of age was the target for the first pillar of the WHO global strategy for cervical cancer elimination,”
“Given the continuing supply challenges, this addition of a single-dose vaccine product means countries will have greater choice of vaccines to reach more girls.” O’Brien clarified.
The WHO reports a notable increase in the number of nations adopting the single-dose HPV immunisation regimen. By September 2024, there were 57 countries that had adopted the schedule, up from 37 in 2023. According to WHO predictions, 6 million more girls will be able to receive HPV vaccinations in 2023 alone because to the implementation of the single-dose schedule.
Global data published in July 2024 also revealed that females between the ages of 9 and 14 had a 27% increase in one-dose HPV vaccination coverage in 2023 compared to 20% in 2022.
Additional Funding To Expand Coverage
Countries and partners in global health committed around $600 million in fresh funding earlier in 2024 to assist the elimination of cervical cancer.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contributed $180 million, UNICEF contributed $10 million, and the World Bank contributed $400 million of this investment. By 2030, it is anticipated that these expenditures would hasten the launch and widespread use of HPV vaccinations.
