Human papillomavirus vaccines: WHO position paper

This document replaces the first WHO position paper on vaccines against diseases caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV), published in 2009. It focuses primarily on the prevention of cervical cancer, but also considers the broader spectrum of cancers and other diseases preventable by HPV vaccination. In April 2014, SAGE reviewed the most recent developments in the field of HPV vaccines and the available information concerning HPV vaccine schedules in females.1 Evidence presented at this meeting can be accessed at: http://www.who.int/immunization/sage/previous/en/index.html.

The principle change in the WHO position since 2009 concerns the number of doses of vaccine recommended for different age groups.