Is the elimination of cervical cancer now 3 times easier? One-dose vaccine efficacy has far-reaching implications

Abstract

Jak cytować / How to cite: Koczkodaj P, Dillner J, Mańczuk M. Is the elimination of cervical cancer now 3 times easier? One-dose vaccine efficacy has far-reaching implications. NOWOTWORY J Oncol 2022; 72: 65–66. More and more studies have proven that low trust in vaccines has become a universal phenomenon, regardless of the region of the world and type of vaccine [1–3]. Particularly intense public debate on vaccines efficacy and safety has been (and still is) visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. A plethora of misconceptions, myths and fake news on vaccines has come to the fore recently, causing a lack of trust, not only in COVID-19 vaccines. Searching for new paths to cope with this public health challenge should be one of the key points of current international and national health policy agendas. In this context, recent research results look very promising, i.e. a single dose of vaccination against HPV has a similar efficacy to two and three doses [4]. These results may have far-reaching implications – primarily in a public health context, as it may enable a much faster eradication of HPV regionally and worldwide, moreover, those reluctant to get the HPV vaccine will be more likely to take just one dose, rather than three. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan launched by the European Commission at the beginning of 2021 assumes vaccinations of target population of girls will be at the level of 90% by 2030 as well as acceleration of vaccinations among boys. However, the document describes a “fully vaccinated” target population, implying having completed a 3-dose scheme which can be much more difficult taking into consideration high social HPV vaccine hesitancy. Moreover, in the coming years (at least 4-5 years), due to rapidly growing demand, there are predictions of further HPV-vaccine shortages on the world market. Furthermore, despite the plans of new manufacturers to enter the market, it will take some time to begin efficient production (even 4 years are needed for manufacturing the final product). Moreover, legal difficulties impede shifting HPV vaccinations supplies from one country to another [5]. Discussing all of these obstacles, it is crucial to significantly increase social trust in HPV vaccinations. Implementation of the one-dose vaccination scheme seems to be one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to achieve this goal. Additionally, faster HPV eradication can be obtained by combining vaccination and screening in organised programs [6, 7] and this strategy would be greatly facilitated if both screening and vaccination could be completed in a single visit. The WHO has specifically called for further research on innovative ways to achieve the elimination goal faster. The fact that it has also now been shown for the quadrivalent vaccine (that a single-dose HPV vaccination is as effective as a 3-doses full scheme), means the results could help to overcome one of the most important barriers to broad vaccine coverage – low social trust.