WHO experts call for HPV vaccine for girls aged 4 and up
The World Health Organization is recommending that countries consider HPV vaccination for girls as young as four to improve global coverage rates. The organization aims to reach a 90% vaccination target to combat cervical cancer.
Why it matters
Expanding vaccination age ranges is a critical public health strategy to reduce the global burden of cervical cancer.
The World Health Organization's vaccine experts recommended that countries consider routine vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) in girls as young as four, provided it helps improve lagging vaccine coverage.
Some 165 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine, said Anthony Scott, who chairs the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE).
"However, the global HPV vaccine coverage, at 33%, is far short of the global target we're looking for, which is 90%," he told reporters.
HPV vaccination is a priority for all girls aged nine to 14, according to the WHO.
In Ireland, the HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls in their first year of secondary school, usually aged between 12 and 13.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) says it may also be recommended for someone with a weak immune system.
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