Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a cornerstone of cervical cancer prevention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burden of disease remains high1.
The World Health Organization (WHO) HPV Vaccine Introduction Clearing House reported that 147 countries (of 194 reporting) had fully introduced the HPV vaccine into their national schedules as of 20242. After COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, global coverage is again increasing. For 2024, the WHO reported that global complete vaccination coverage (which varies according to national schedules) was 28% among eligible girls worldwide. Among countries that have introduced vaccination, immunization programs have achieved an average 63% coverage with at least one vaccine dose in 20243. To achieve global cervical cancer elimination targets4, first, more countries, particularly highly populous countries, must introduce HPV vaccination into national schedules; second, national programs must find ways to achieve 90% vaccination coverage of girls by the age of 15 years.
Despite global support and country commitment, challenges persist in the introduction, scale-up, and sustainability of HPV vaccination programs. This perspective explores the role of multi-country peer learning as a strategy to address these challenges, by drawing on the experience of the Coalition to Strengthen the HPV Immunization Community (CHIC), a multi-year initiative supported by the Gates Foundation5. The CHIC initiative emphasizes participatory dialogue, country-led action planning, and evidence translation to support HPV vaccine implementation in LMICs.