A fourth WHO-prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine product, Cecolin, has been confirmed for use in a single-dose schedule to prevent cervical cancer, a statement said.
This important milestone will contribute to improving sustainable supply of HPV vaccines—allowing more girls to be reached with the vaccines that prevent the cancer, the WHO statement said on Friday.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Unlike most other cancers, we have the ability to remove cervical cancer, along with its painful inequities.”
More than 95 percent of the 660,000 cervical cancer cases occurring globally every year are caused by HPV. In Every two minutes, a woman dies from this preventable disease globally, and 90 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Of the 20 hardest hit countries caused by cervical cancer 19 are in Africa.
