HPV vaccine implementation and monitoring in Latin America

To describe HPV vaccine program implementation, monitoring and evaluation experiences in Latin America.

We reviewed published articles in peer-reviewed journals and reports from government web- sites, as well as the PAHO/WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting form and the ICO/IARC HPV Information Centre database.

By December 2016, 13 countries/territories in Latin America (56%) have introduced HPV vaccines. The majority have done so in the past three years, targeting 10- 12 year old girls with a two dose schedule, through school programs. Vaccine coverage ranges from 30 to 87%. Safety monitoring is well established, but monitoring vaccine impact is not, and data are not available.

. Although Latin America is the most advanced developing region with HPV vaccine introduction, systems for its monitoring are weak and there is a paucity of consistently available coverage data for this vaccine. Challenges remain to introduce HPV vaccines in several countries, to achieve high coverage, and to strengthen monitoring, evaluation and reporting.