The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the use of Cecolin®, a single-dose, as the fourth prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This decision comes after new data demonstrating its effectiveness in a single-dose schedule. This decision aligns with WHO’s 2022 policy recommendations for off-label use of HPV vaccines in a bid to strengthen global supply and increase coverage, especially among cervical cancer hotspots in low-and middle-income countries.
"By adding another option for a one-dose HPV vaccination schedule, we have taken another step closer to consigning cervical cancer to history." - Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,WHO Director-General
Globally 6,60,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer per year, over 95% of cases are due to HPV and > 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries,19 of the 20 hardest-hit nations are in Africa. WHO’s goal is to vaccinate 90% of girls by age 15 as part of its strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.
The single-dose schedule has proven highly effective, with coverage among girls aged 9-14 increasing from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023. WHO estimates that this approach led to at least 6 million more girls receiving the HPV vaccine in 2023.
In related developments, WHO prequalified a fifth HPV vaccine, Walrinvax®, in August 2024, with a two-dose schedule.This development offers renewed hope in the fight against cervical cancer, a preventable disease that tragically claims a woman's life every two minutes. With increased vaccine accessibility and ongoing global efforts, the goal of eliminating cervical cancer is becoming increasingly achievable.
