HPV vaccine expansion expected to prevent 1.4m cervical cancer deaths

By Doris Obinna

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has hit a major global health milestone ahead of schedule, protecting an estimated 86 million girls in the world’s highest-risk countries against cervical cancer. 

The achievement, announced on the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, marks the successful culmination of a three-year drive to revitalise Gavi’s HPV vaccination programme and is expected to prevent 1.4 million future deaths.

According to Gavi’s CEO, Dr Sania Nishtar, every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer, a disease that is both devastating and largely preventable. “Thanks to incredible commitment from countries, partners, civil society and communities, we have now reached our target ahead of schedule. This collaborative effort is driving major global progress towards eliminating one of the deadliest diseases affecting women.”

The company further explained that cervical cancer remains one of the starkest examples of health inequality: lower-income countries, where screening and treatment are limited, account for 90 per cent of the 350,000 deaths recorded in 2022. “Yet the HPV vaccine is highly effective, preventing the leading cause of the disease and averting an estimated 17.4 deaths for every 1,000 children vaccinated.

“When Gavi launched its HPV programme in 2014, vaccine access was patchy, supply was insufficient and awareness was low. In Africa, coverage sat at just four per cent. By 2022, more than 13 million girls had been vaccinated with Gavi support, but global coverage remained only 14 per cent far below what was needed.

“A renewed global push beginning in 2023 changed the trajectory. More than 50 countries will have introduced the vaccine with Gavi’s backing by the end of 2025, extending access to nations where 89 per cent of cervical cancer cases occur. Coverage in Africa surged to 44 per cent by the end of 2024, surpassing Europe for the first time, while overall coverage across Gavi-supported countries raised from eight per cent in 2022 to 25 per cent two years later.

“Beyond its life-saving impact, the programme has generated significant economic benefits. Between 2014 and 2024, HPV vaccination in 43 lower-income countries produced an estimated US$2.32 billion in economic gains through prevented illness, reduced healthcare costs and stronger community resilience.

“The early success of the campaign positions the world closer than ever to the elimination of cervical cancer; a once-unimaginable prospect now within reach.”