Human papillomavirus vaccines: WHO position paper, May 2017

Overview

This document replaces the 2014 WHO position paper on vaccines against diseases caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV). It focuses primarily on the prevention of cervical cancer, but also considers the broader spectrum of cancers and other diseases preventable by HPV vaccination. It incorporates recent developments concerning HPV vaccines, including the licensure of a nonavalent (9-valent) vaccine and recent data on vaccine effectiveness, and provides guidance on the choice of vaccine.

New recommendations are proposed regarding vaccination strategies targeting girls only or both girls and boys, and vaccination of multiple birth cohorts. These recommendations were discussed by SAGE in October 2016. Evidence presented at the SAGE meeting can be accessed at: http://www.who.int/immunization/ sage/meetings/2016/october/en/.