Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine – identifying and overcoming the challenges to reaching those who need it most

Women in low and middle-income countries experience the greatest burden of cervical cancer in the world, with more than 88% of the 275,000 deaths annually taking place in these areas. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally and is the major cause of cervical cancer. Two preventive vaccines were licensed in 2006 and boast great potential for reducing the burden of cervical cancer. Despite the fact that the vaccine has proven to be safe and effective against HPV, there has been a significant lag to delivering it in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Using both a literature review and interviewing experts working in the HPV vaccine field we investigated the current challenges to introducing the HPV vaccine.