According to WHO and UNICEF’s estimation, the global coverage of HPV vaccine in 2022 was as follows: 21% for the first dose and 15% for full immunization in females in the target prioritized age group (generally 9-14 years), and 6% for the first dose and 5% for full vaccination in males. Globally, 21% of 15-year-old girls received the first dose of HPV vaccines, and 17% were fully vaccinated, compared with 7% and 5% of that among boys, respectively. As shown in Figure 1, in 2019, the first dose coverage for females in high-income countries was 50% (95% CI: 35%-63%), and full immunization coverage was 40% (95% CI: 28%-53%). The first dose coverage for females in low- and middle-income countries was 16% (95% CI: 8%-31%), and full immunization coverage was 12% (95% CI: 5%- 24%). [1].
Figure 1. Country-specific HPV vaccination program coverage estimates for girls by income level in 2019.
In low- and middle-income countries, international organizations often fund demonstration or pilot programs. Although they covered limited areas (often one region per country), the first dose coverage can be 93%, while the 2 or 3 dose rate can be as high as 70-90% [2]. The median of the first dose coverage is slightly higher in low- and middle-income countries (80%) compared with in high-income countries (72%), but the mean value of the proportion in LMICs who gave up the subsequent doses after the first dose is higher than those in high-income countries (18% vs 11%).
Regarding regional distribution, only one-third of countries in sub-Saharan Africa have included HPV vaccines in their national immunization programs in 2022. The first dose coverage in the region has reached 33% and nearly 22% for full immunization. In contrast, Asian countries have the lowest HPV vaccine coverage, with less than 6% for the first dose and less than 4% for full immunization. The coverage also varies within countries, influenced by vaccine accessibility, the implementation of vaccine immunization programs, and the population’s willingness to be vaccinated.
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Page Editor: Jiaqi Zu
References:
- Bruni L, Saura-Lázaro A, Montoliu A, Brotons M, Alemany L, Diallo MS, Afsar OZ, LaMontagne DS, Mosina L, Contreras M: HPV vaccination introduction worldwide and WHO and UNICEF estimates of national HPV immunization coverage 2010–2019. Preventive Medicine 2021, 144:106399.
- Gallagher KE, LaMontagne DS, Watson-Jones D: Status of HPV vaccine introduction and barriers to country uptake. Vaccine 2018, 36(32):4761-4767.
