Abstract
Two licensed vaccines designed to prevent certain human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are currently available. Their use to prevent cervical cancer has depended on data from clinical trials of safety, immunogenicity and efficacy in preventing surrogate end points of cancer. Following these pivotal studies, HPV vaccines are being introduced into national vaccination programs, mostly in developed countries, and are largely targeting girls 10–14 years of age, with a one-time catch-up opportunity for older teens. Some countries have achieved a level of coverage that is consistent with economic models predicting their cost–effectiveness. At the same time, clinical trials among males and older women have led to pressure to expand the population groups offered HPV vaccination. Over the next 5 years, health authorities will need to make clear decisions about how best to deploy HPV vaccines, as well as to increase or maintain high coverage among young adolescent girls.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Loretta Brabin and Henry C Kitchener are supported by the Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC) and the National Institute for Health Research Manchester Biomedical Research Centre. They have also received research grants from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Loretta Brabin has received travel grants and honoraria for attending meetings organized by both GSK and Sanofi Pasteur. Loretta Brabin is supported by the Max Elstein Trust. Peter L Stern is supported by Cancer Research UK. He has received honoraria as a Consultant and Advisory Board member for GSK. 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 materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.