The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that a fourth WHO-prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine product, Cecolin has been confirmed for use in a single-dose schedule.
The decision is made based on new data on the product that fulfilled the criteria set out in the WHO’s 2022 recommendations for alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose schedules.
A growing number of vaccine products initially prequalified for use in a 2-dose schedule can now be used in a single-dose schedule. The single-dose use indication for this additional vaccine, Cecolin, is incorporated into the second edition of WHO’s technical document on considerations for HPV vaccine product choice (reflected in Table 4 of this document).
Global data released on July 15, 2024 indicates that the one dose HPV vaccine coverage among girls aged 9-14 years increased from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023. In 2023, 37 countries were implementing the single-dose schedule. As of September 10, 2024, 57 countries are implementing the single-dose schedule. WHO estimates that the single-dose schedule adoption has resulted in at least 6 million additional girls being reached with HPV vaccines in 2023.
