Decision-making considerations for single-dose HPV vaccination, including drivers of schedule adoption or switch

The resource is a peer-reviewed article examines decision-making considerations for adopting single-dose HPV vaccination schedules across low- and middle-income countries. The study synthesizes qualitative insights gathered from immunization stakeholders—including Ministries of Health, Gavi-funded partners, civil society and multilateral agencies—from 19 countries to understand the drivers, enablers, and barriers that influence national decisions on HPV vaccine schedule adoption or switching to single-dose regimens, in the context of updated global guidance on HPV vaccination and evolving evidence on schedule efficacy.

Key insights:

• Stakeholders cited anticipated benefits of single-dose HPV vaccination, including higher schedule completion and coverage—especially among under-immunized populations—and operational cost savings related to reduced vaccine procurement and simplified delivery.
• Single-dose regimens were seen as enabling optimised vaccine stock management and fit well with constrained health system resources and supply-limited environments.
• Factors constraining adoption included limited local evidence on long-term protection, perceived liabilities of off-label use, and the resources needed for retraining and programme adjustments.

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