Global status of HPV vaccination two decades in: effective, safe and preventing cancer

Prophylactic human papillomavirus vaccines have been in use in populations worldwide for nearly 20 years. Much has been learnt in relation to their effectiveness, safety, and how best to effectively implement them in populations to prevent cancer and other HPV-related diseases. Global challenges such as limited supply and the mismatch between those who can afford them and those with the greatest disease burden from cervical cancer have prevented optimal usage to date.

Here we identified recent papers and focus upon the accumulated evidence regarding HPV vaccine: i) effectiveness in preventing cancer and precancerous lesions, ii) safety in population usage, iii) trial evidence supporting registration of four newer vaccines, iv) progress in country-level introductions and coverage, and v) lessons learned in effective implementation.

Reasons for optimism are many, with vast cumulative knowledge on impact, safety and implementation and accelerating HPV vaccine introductions, simplification of delivery and reduced costs through single dose approaches and supply constraints easing. However, considerable challenges remain in achieving and maintaining high and equitable global coverage, given the uncertainty in funding, risk to ongoing prioritization of health equity and to vaccine confidence in the current global public health environment.