Women often develop cervical cancer through sexually transmitted papillomavirus. Vaccines against this virus have been available since the mid -2000s.
Based on the latest data, an expert committee of the World Health Organization now believes that one dose of the vaccine, instead of two, is enough to protect children aged 9 to 14, as well as children aged 15 up to 20. doses in accordance with those indicated in previous recommendations.
At a press conference, the head of the committee, Dr. Alejandro Cravioto, stressed that the new recommendations will allow more girls and women to be vaccinated “while maintaining the required level of protection.”
Craviotto explained that national immunization programs can still continue to approve two doses of the vaccine if they think it is necessary.
In addition, experts from the World Health Organization have updated their recommendation that women over 21 should receive two doses between six months.
“For those with weak immune systems, especially those with HIV, we recommend giving them at least two or even three doses so they can be fully vaccinated,” Craviotto said.
By 2020, more than 340,000 women will die from cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer among women in the world.
And Craviotto taught that “about every two minutes, a woman dies from this disease.”
Approximately ninety percent of recent injuries and deaths in 2020 occurred in low- or middle-income countries.
“I strongly believe that eradicating cervical cancer is possible,” Princess Notemba Semelela, Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization, said in a statement, adding that “recommending a single dose of the vaccine will help us reach our goal of vaccinating ninety percent of 15 -year -old girls by 2030.
Global coverage with a two -dose schedule in 2020 is only 13 percent.
The World Health Organization says many factors have contributed to the slow introduction of the vaccine and low vaccine coverage in some countries, particularly difficulties in supply and the relatively high cost of the vaccine, in addition to the difficulty in giving two doses to young women, who are usually not included in childhood immunization programs.
Smilila stressed that “the option of getting a single dose of the vaccine is cheaper, resource intensive and easier to manage.”
