The Q&A session focused on social mobilization and political engagement for Nigeria’s HPV vaccine introduction. Speakers highlighted that early advocacy with high-level authorities was crucial to ensure government support and program success. Major challenges included managing rumors and hesitancy, particularly among private schools, while public schools were more cooperative. The role of women’s associations and […]
Format: Q&A Session
Country level monitoring and evaluation, including reporting tools, supervision and impact evaluation: Q&A Session
The session highlighted that program effectiveness depends on high-quality data, with Côte d’Ivoire’s HPV vaccination strategy using dedicated registries and integrated monitoring. Key challenges include vaccine shortages impacting catch-up for older girls and data collection for immunocompromised populations, especially beyond HIV. Discussions emphasized harmonizing indicators for schooled and unschooled girls, ensuring non-stigmatizing tracking of extra […]
Single-dose decision-making and implementation experience – Q&A Session
The discussion session highlighted operational and strategic questions around introducing HPV single-dose schedules and gender-neutral vaccination. Participants from several countries (e.g., Nigeria, Cameroon, Togo, Cape Verde) raised issues about coverage disparities between boys and girls, acceptance of vaccinating boys, and challenges linked to sociocultural perceptions. Other key points included the rationale for vaccinating older cohorts […]
Key components of application: decision-making process, selecting and estimating target population, and budgeting – Q&A Session
The discussion highlighted the urgent burden of cervical cancer in Africa, where two to three women out of four die from the disease despite the availability of HPV vaccines. Participants emphasized cost challenges, especially comparing Gavi-supported prices to market costs. Questions addressed key implementation aspects: age targeting (why 10 years), inclusion of boys, strategies for […]
Countries’ experience on stakeholder engagement: challenges and opportunities – Q&A Session
During the Q&A, participants from Senegal and Congo raised questions on HPV vaccination in hospitals and the role of private-sector providers. Mauritania clarified that while some hospital units provide HPV vaccination—mainly alongside newborn and COVID vaccines—the primary focus is sensitizing pediatricians and gynecologists to refer eligible girls to vaccination units. They confirmed free HPV vaccination […]
Current delivery strategies: overview and way forward to optimizing sustainable delivery strategies – Q&A Session
During the discussion, participants raised questions about how Burkina Faso achieved high HPV vaccination coverage despite insecurity, requesting details on community and political engagement, logistical strategies, and partner support. Concerns were voiced on parental consent, especially for school-based delivery, and on managing misinformation, adverse events, and data reliability in conflict zones. Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire […]
HPV Vaccination Integration Experience – Q&A Session
The session highlighted integration of HPV vaccination into broader health and school platforms, with examples from Senegal (October Rose), Burkina Faso (youth services), and Togo (adolescent health/menstrual hygiene). Key themes included mapping opportunities, leveraging school-based strategies, and ensuring bidirectional integration of services. Challenges involve limited coordination between health and education sectors and inadequate resources for […]
Cervical Cancer Landscape In Sub-Saharan Francophone Africa – Q&A Sessions
During the discussion session, participants raised questions on the shift to single-dose HPV vaccination, particularly experiences from Cameroon and the potential for countries like Mauritania to transition from two to one dose. Concerns were voiced about vaccine supply constraints and the risk of discouraging countries if revitalization efforts are hindered by shortages. Delegates highlighted the […]
Cancer registries – data collection, challenges and steps to strengthen registries and improve cervical cancer data collection – Q&A Session
Participants raised questions on data duplication between population- and hospital-based registries, the use of national IDs for follow-up, and religious barriers to registry participation and vaccination (notably in Bangladesh). Nepal explained using active and passive data collection with manual and software-based duplication checks; Bangladesh highlighted cultural stigma and low female empowerment as barriers. India detailed […]
WHO position paper on new recommendation and Global overview on HPV vaccine efficacy and safety – Q&A Session
The Q&A session addressed community concerns on HPV vaccine safety, duration of protection, and gender equity in vaccination. Questions covered reported adverse events (e.g., seizures, headaches, menstrual symptoms), long-term antibody persistence, and the relevance of early cancer incidence in efficacy studies. Paul Bloem clarified that extensive global safety reviews show no causal links between HPV […]