A review of data systems for assessing the impact of HPV vaccination in selected high-income countries

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The introduction of effective human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, screening, and treatment programs has led the World Health Organization to call for the global elimination of cervical cancer. Assessing progress toward this goal is supported through monitoring vaccination coverage and its impact.

Areas covered

We performed a targeted review to assess the characteristics of HPV-related data systems from seven high-income countries (HICs) that represented varied approaches, including Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Scotland, Sweden, and the United States (US). Included data systems focused on preventive and early detection measures: HPV vaccination and cervical screening programs, as well as HPV-related disease outcomes. Differences were observed in approach to development of data systems, along with variation in geographical scope and methods of data collection.

Expert opinion

A challenge exists in how to best follow-up the ongoing global-scale elimination efforts in a comprehensive manner. These sources provide a wealth of information regarding the strengths and limitations of, and notable variation among, current data systems used in HICs. This review can inform improvements to existing prevention programs and the implementation of new programs in other countries, and thus support optimization of cervical cancer prevention policy.

KEYWORDS:

• Cervical cancer
• cervical screening
• data systems
• genital warts
• human papillomavirus
• literature review
• real-world data
• recurrent respiratory papillomavirus
• surveillance
• vaccination

Article highlights

• This review presents an overview of existing data systems of HPV-related outcomes across seven high-income countries, which can be used as a measure of progress against the World Health Organization target for elimination of cervical cancer

• Data systems capturing HPV-related outcomes such as vaccination coverage, cervical screening, HPV infection rates, and HPV-related cancers were included in the review

• There were substantial differences observed across collated data systems, including in data collection methods and geographical scope

• This review presents an overview of current data system practices in selected countries, and can provide a basis for establishing new programs of surveillance in other countries

Declarations of interest

None of the authors received funding for the writing of this manuscript. K Sundstrom has received research grants and consultancy fees to her affiliating institution, Karolinska Institute. S Garland is a member of the Merck Global Advisory board and has received (through her institution) funds for an investigator-initiated grant on HPV in young women, funds for lecture fees and is a member of a Merck vaccine advisory board. EL Franco has served as occasional advisor to Merck, GSK, Roche, and BD. His institution has received funds from Merck in support of a publicly supported, investigator-initiated study. He is co-holder of a patent on methylation markers for cervical cancer screening. P Bonanni received grants for epidemiological and HTA research from different vaccine companies (GSK, MSD, Sanofi Pasteur, Pfizer, Seqirus, Astra Zeneca) and fees for taking part to advisory boards or educational events on different vaccines from the same companies and from Janssen and Moderna. V Wang, S Kothari, and YT Chen are employees of Merck & Co. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or material discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Authors contributions

All authors have contributed to the conception and design of the review and interpretation of results. All authors were also involved in the writing and review of the presented manuscript.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14760584.2023.2162505

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. The funders of the study had a role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, and the writing of the report. The corresponding author had full access to all data in the study and final responsibility for the decision to submit this review for publication. Editorial support was provided by Adelphi Values PROVE and was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA. The literature review was completed by Certara and was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA