Hopes rise of boost in uptake of HPV jabs
Hopes of an uptake in the HPV cancer-preventing vaccine have increased following a study showing that one dose of the jab is an effective as two or more injections.
The latest research, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research in Chicago, supports earlier studies indicating that one dose of the vaccine against human papillomavirus produced similar protection to the previous practice of giving two doses to teenagers, separated by a year.
Since 2008, the vaccine has been routinely offered by the NHS to girls aged 12-13 years at school to provide long-lasting protection against cervical cancer.
Campaign
Following a hard-fought campaign led by the medical community, in which I was closely involved, the vaccine was extended to boys in the UK from September 2019 to protect against throat and other forms of cancer for which HPV is also a leading cause.
Such is the success of the HPV vaccine programme that it is hoped cervical cancer will be eliminated in the UK by 2040, saving thousands of lives.
Take-up of the vaccine is over 80% for girls, but this suffered a significant drop during the COVID pandemic. Take-up by boys is lower, but the figures have been steadily increasing since 2019.
Guidance
Following new guidance last year, the NHS updated its HPV vaccination programme to a single dose instead of two for most under-25s, making it easier than ever for young people and parents of 12-13 year-olds to ensure they are protected.
The latest study involved a trial of over 20,000 girls aged 12 to 16. It showed that receiving one injection, which combined two different vaccines, had an efficacy of 97%.
Aimée Kreimer of the US National Cancer Institute who conducted the research said: “I think we can all agree that one dose and two doses of both of these fantastic vaccines work really well. We’re really excited about these results.”
Global uptake
It is hoped a single-dose vaccination will accelerate take-up at a global level, making it easier for health professionals to provide full protection.
Dr Kreimer pointed out that global uptake in girls was only 27%. “And this 27% is really a recent jump…so it’s been very slow.”
She added: “A global single-dose HPV vaccine recommendation should facilitate and accelerate country introductions and vaccine uptake. It really is high uptake of HPV vaccines that is going to control these diseases.”
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