The World Health Organization recommends a single dose of the HPV vaccine in search of greater adherence

Given the low adherence to the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to change the guidelines for the vaccine, making it a single dose. The idea is for people to start researching the formula, which until then was applied in two doses.

Studies have already indicated that The HPV vaccine may be an alternative for patients who have had their cancerous cells removed of the cervix, as it may reduce the risk of these cells returning and thus cervical cancer – also known as cervical cancer.

In unveiling the new guidelines, the World Health Organization revealed alarming numbers that led to such a choice. It turns out that between 2019 and 2021, coverage with the first dose decreased from 25% to 15% of girls ages 9 to 14. Thus, experts hope that the change will improve access to the vaccine and may lead to an increase in the number of girls vaccinated.

For this to work, the WHO’s recommendation is that countries strengthen HPV vaccination programmes, streamline implementation and reverse the decline in coverage.

How does the HPV vaccine work in Brazil?

In the Unified Health System (SUS), the HPV vaccine is distributed free of charge to the following groups:

• girls from 9 to 14 years old;
• boys between the ages of 11 and 14;
• Immunosuppressed people from 9 to 45 years of age, including those with HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients and cancer patients.

Even people who have already had one form of HPV should be vaccinated if they meet criteria for SUS, because the formulation is quadrivalent. The healthy population between the ages of 9 and 20 can take one or two doses, but those who are immunosuppressed should receive two doses of the vaccine.

Source: the scientist