Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals
The Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals department is responsible for targeting vaccine-preventable diseases, guiding immunization research and establishing immunization policy.
HPV Vaccines and Safety
HPV vaccines prevent cervical cancer by preventing infection by various HPV types. Two HPV vaccines are currently prequalified by WHO - a bivalent and a quadrivalent vaccine. Both vaccines are highly efficacious in preventing infection with virus types 16 and 18, which are together responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases globally.
The quadrivalent vaccine is also highly efficacious in preventing anogenital warts, a common genital disease which is virtually always caused by infection with HPV types 6 and 11.
HPV vaccine characteristics
Considerations for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine product choice
WHO preferred product characteristics for therapeutic HPV vaccines
WHO Immunological Basis for Immunization Series: Module 19: human papillomavirus infection
HPV vaccine safety
Resources
HPV introduction - technical resources
This toolbox on the TechNet-21 website contains practical tools often developed by EPI programmes and partners and is regularly updated.
