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 vaccines and severe adverse events, with most reactions being mild and transient. Longitudinal data (>15 years) indicate durable immunity without the need for boosters, even for single-dose schedules. The prioritization of girls was explained by cervical cancer’s disproportionate burden on women and strong herd effects benefiting boys. Ongoing surveillance and research will continue to refine guidance and address emerging concerns.

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