In response to country demand, GAVI decided to support the introduction of HPV vaccines
A woman dies every two minutes from cervical cancer
Over 85% of the 275,000 women who die every year from cervical cancer lived in the developing world. If left unchecked, by 2030 cervical cancer will kill as many as 430,000 women, virtually all in low-income countries.
The third most common cancer in women worldwide1, cervical cancer usually kills women at the prime of their lives. For a family, cervical cancer is a tragedy. For a nation, the disease is a serious health and economic burden.
Safe and effective human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines protect against HPV types 16 and 18 which cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases.
HPV vaccines are critically important to developing countries as cancer screening and treatment services are often unavailable.
GAVI is delivering on the promise for girls and women in developing countries
In response to country demand, the GAVI decided to support the introduction of HPV vaccines if negotiations to secure an acceptable price from manufacturers are successful and countries can demonstrate their ability to deliver the vaccines to girls. By 2020, more than 28 million girls can be immunised.
GAVI’s decision leads the way for girls in developing countries to enjoy the same access to HPV vaccines as girls in developed nations. It supports the UN Secretary-General’s Global Strategy on Women’s and Children’s Health to address key global health priorities by increasing access to life-saving vaccines.
More affordable HPV vaccines
GAVI is working with vaccine manufacturers to ensure that HPV vaccines are affordable. Last year, a vaccine manufacturer offered an indicative price for HPV vaccines to GAVI countries at US$ 5 per dose, a 67% reduction on the lowest public price. GAVI continues to work with manufacturers to reduce prices.
Working with partners
HPV vaccines will be delivered to girls in the ten to 13 year age group. GAVI will partner with cancer, reproductive health and women’s organisations to help countries deliver HPV vaccines cost-effectively, integrated with other important interventions for girls such as adolescent reproductive health, HIV prevention, nutrition, family planning and safe motherhood.
Initial experience in offering HPV vaccination in Africa, Asia and Latin America has been encouraging. Lessons learnt documents are available through the Reproductive Health Outlook Cervical Cancer library.
"GAVI’s decision to include the HPV vaccine is a visionary investment that will improve the health of girls and women, equity and development," Julio Frenk, Dean, Harvard School of Public Health.
1http://globocan.iarc.fr/factsheet.asp
