HPV vaccination schedule in one, two, or three doses

Abstract

Although several countries have adopted a single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination strategy, many other countries continue to include multiple doses in their vaccination programmes. There are ethical reasons for the transition to a single-dose strategy. A single-dose HPV vaccination strategy promotes equity in three dimensions: vaccine equity and health equity. Adopting a single-dose strategy reduces pressure on vaccine supply, lowers programme costs, and is easier to distribute. This change facilitates vaccine procurement and implementation programmes, as well as helps reaching hard-toaccess people or populations. A lower number of cases of HPV-related diseases that stem from greater vaccine distribution reduces the burden on women, who are at a higher risk of HPV-related disease or who act as caregivers, which prevents them from accessing opportunities that contribute to their empowerment. Thus, pursuing the single-dose HPV vaccination programme strategy is ethically desirable.