WHO experts suggest vaccinating girls as young as four against HPV

WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) urged nations to contemplate routine HPV vaccination for girls aged 4 to 8 if it would improve uptake, noting global coverage sits at just 33% of the 90% goal. The group reaffirmed that the primary priority remains vaccinating girls aged 9 to 14, with a single-dose regimen identified as the most effective strategy. Anthony Scott, chair of SAGE, highlighted that 165 countries have introduced the vaccine, yet coverage remains far below target.

Kate O'Brien reported that more than 95 million girls received HPV shots by the end of last year. Cervical cancer, driven by persistent HPV infection, caused about 604,000 new cases and 280,000 deaths in 2024, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Latin America and Asia. SAGE also outlined a phased expansion to older women, boys, and catch-up groups.