Routine HPV vaccination: Reflection on delivery strategies based on countries’ experiences

Abstract

Despite the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), countries are still struggling to maintain HPV vaccination coverage and manage sustainable delivery strategies. This article explores the challenges and effective strategies for HPV vaccine delivery in LMICs, with a focus on reflecting upon current HPV vaccine delivery strategies in the World Health Organization (WHO) HPV vaccine introduction guidelines to align with practical implementation experiences. The article utilizes presentations and discussions from Coalition to Strengthen the HPV Immunization Community (CHIC) symposia, field experiences of program implementers who participated in the meeting and immunization expert opinions, to inform its findings. Several countries are spotlighted for their delivery strategies. These include routinized campaign mode vaccinations at schools in The Gambia, Zambia, and Ethiopia; routine health facility services in Tanzania, Kenya, and Maldives; and outreach strategies targeting out-of-school girls. By evaluating these diverse strategies, the article suggests a need to delve deeper and build an understanding of the routinized campaign mode of HPV vaccine delivery, and advocates for expanding the scope of delivery strategies and consequently updating the WHO HPV vaccine delivery guidelines in line with the evolving landscape of HPV vaccination delivery to ensure comprehensive, cost-effective, and sustainable programs in LMICs.