Policies and processes for human papillomavirus vaccination in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Objectives. Three highly effective vaccines are available to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and they have been introduced in many countries around the world. This article describes advances and challenges in introducing HPV vaccines in the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methods. We reviewed national and regional sources of information to identify LAC countries with and without universal HPV vaccination, along with the year of introduction, type of HPV vaccine, vaccination scheme, age groups targeted, and coverage level reached. Incidence rates of cervical cancer were compared across countries with and without an HPV vaccination program, in order to identify inequities in access to HPV vaccines. Results. So far, 10 LAC countries have supplied data on their vaccination policies and vaccination coverage rates to the Pan America Health Organization. The majority of those 10 started their vaccination programs using quadrivalent vaccine. Only Chile, Ecuador, and Mexico started their programs using a two-dose scheme. However, by the end of 2016, most of the other countries had switched from a three-dose to a two-dose scheme. Different age groups are targeted in the various programs. Some countries vaccinate one-year birth cohorts, while others vaccinate multiple-year birth cohorts. By the end of 2014, coverage with at least two doses ranged from a low of 2% to a high of 86%. With the exception of Venezuela, the LAC countries with the largest populations introduced universal HPV vaccination between 2010 and 2014. Despite the progress that has occurred in some LAC countries, there are still 10 LAC nations with cervical cancer rates above the LAC average (21.2 cases per 100 000) that have not introduced an HPV vaccine in their EPI.Conclusions. With several key adjustments, HPV vaccination programs across Latin America and the Caribbean could be substantially strengthened. Ongoing monitoring of HPV infection outcomes is needed in order to assess the impact of different vaccination policies.

Frequency and distribution of HPV genotypes in 800 genital samples of Ecuadorian men and women from the city of Guayaquil

“…The bivalent vaccine (HPV genotypes 16 and 18), which offers cross protection for some HPV genotypes of the same group as HPV16 (HPV31, HPV33, HPV35, HPV52, HPV58) and HPV18 (HPV39, HPV45, HPV59, HPV68), is funded by the government [14][15][16] . As the frequency of genotypes other than HPV16 and 18 is still not clear in Ecuador, the present study aimed to determine the relative frequency and distribution of HPV genotypes in 800 genital samples (400 obtained from men and 400 obtained from women), included in the daily diagnostic routine of the Instituto Oncológico Nacional de la Sociedad de Lucha Contra el Cáncer (ION SOLCA Matriz), in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which is responsible for the care of 50% to 70% of all cancers, in the country.…”

Desconhecimento sobre a campanha de vacinação contra o HPV entre estudantes brasileiros: uma análise multinível

“…Em vários países observa-se uma cobertura aquém do esperado, como é o caso de Uruguai e Peru. O Uruguai possui a menor taxa de cobertura vacinal da América Latina, devido à abordagem utilizada no programa de imunização, e o Peru, ainda sofre com a escassez de profissionais 24 .…”

National Burden and Trends for 29 Groups of Cancer in Mexico from 1990 to 2019: A Secondary Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

“…This is because most cervical cancer cases are caused by chronic infection by oncogenic subtypes of HPV. In 2012, Mexico launched a vaccination program for girls aged 11 years to reduce the overall burden of cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV [ 45 ]. Around 80% of 11-year-old girls in Mexico were covered by vaccination programs.…”