about
Our Mission Statement
To increase HPV vaccination rates in underserved communities, reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases and promoting health equity.
Our Vision Statement
A world where every individual, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location, has access to the HPV vaccine and is protected from HPV-related diseases.
In the United States, about 4 of 5 people will get HPV at some point in their lives. Each year, an estimated 32,500 Americans receive a diagnosis of cancer associated with HPV. Through HPV vaccination, about 29,000 cases of cancer could be prevented each year in the United States.
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We invite others to follow our Scalable and Replicable Program with the goal of eradicating HPV related cancers for future generations.
Assessment
We strive to identify underserved communities with low HPV vaccination rates, working to understand the unique barriers and needs of each community.
Community Mobilization
Global HPV Vaccination Initiative creates opportunities for pediatricians to organize outreach programs to educate parents on the importance of vaccinating their children against HPV. A provider recommendation is one of the strongest predictors of HPV vaccination, but many barriers to HPV vaccination exist, including parental hesitancy and missed opportunities to vaccinate. We also work to establish partnerships with local leaders, organizations, and healthcare providers and to develop community-based strategies to promote HPV vaccination.
Education and Awareness
We create awareness campaigns to dispel myths and provide accurate information about the HPV vaccine, using multiple communication channels including social media, community events, and health education sessions. We help encourage provider involvement with the community and help develop presentations providers can offer to parent associations.
We also use social media channels to educate parents, adolescents and the community about the safety and importance of the HPV vaccine, and the dangers associated with missing the opportunity to vaccinate.
Policy Advocacy
We support policies that increase access to the HPV vaccine, such as school-based vaccination programs, and government subsidies for low-income families. Internationally, we advocate for the adoption of the one-dose HPV vaccination protocol. A new study presented at the 35th International Papillomavirus Conference has suggested that one dose of the HPV vaccine may be as effective as the usual two or three doses. This is a significant finding, as it could simplify the vaccination process, reduce costs, and ultimately have a substantial impact on reducing the rate of cervical cancer worldwide, a disease that was responsible for approximately 342,000 deaths in 2020. This research included 2,275 participants in Kenya, aged between 15 to 20 years, and found that the single-dose vaccine that targets two HPV strains was 98% effective, and the nine-strain vaccine was 96% effective.
Following these findings, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reduced its recommended number of HPV vaccine doses to one. This change could help make the vaccine more accessible to women and girls around the world by lowering costs, alleviating pressure on supply, and making the vaccine easier to deliver. As of now, at least 24 countries have adopted this single-dose approach, and more results from the research are expected in 2025, including a formal scientific test of multi-dose vs. single-dose protection.