Human papillomavirus vaccines: challenges to implementation

Clinical trials for prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have shown overwhelmingly positive results. It is expected that with good coverage of the vaccine, 70% of cervical cancers will be prevented, as will a proportion of other HPV-related anogenital diseases. Issues that will require careful consideration will include: whether males and females should be vaccinated; the durability of the immune response; the proportion of attributable disease to the HPV types targetted by the vaccines; and accessibility and cost of the vaccine. Central to an effective vaccination programme will be clear, concise and consistent educative messages regarding HPV not only to the lay public, but also the medical profession.