A single dose of the human papillomavirus vaccine gives as good protection as two doses, experts have ruled.
Research on the subject was analysed by the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), earlier this month.
One single HPV vaccine does "delivers solid protection against HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer", they found.
In a statement, the group point out that this "could be a game-changer for the prevention of the disease; seeing more doses of the life-saving jab reach more girls".
Cervical cancer is currently a disease of inequity of access, they state, with concerns widely voiced about the slow introduction of the vaccine into immunisation programs, especially in poorer countries.
Recommendations are now for one or two-dose schedule for girls aged nine to 14 years, and the same for an older group of young women, aged 15 to 20 years. For women aged 21 or over, two doses are still recommended, six months apart.
SAGE Chair, Dr Alejandro Cravioto, said: “The HPV vaccine is highly effective for the prevention of HPV serotypes 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancer. SAGE urges all countries to introduce HPV vaccines and prioritise multi-age cohort catch up of missed and older cohorts of girls.
"These recommendations will enable more girls and women to be vaccinated and thus preventing them from having cervical cancer and all its consequences over the course of their lifetimes.”
Dr Princess Nothemba Simelela, of WHO, added: “I firmly believe the elimination of cervical cancer is possible. We need political commitment – failure to do so is an injustice.”
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