Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination

Rosalik, Kendal; Tarney, Christopher; Han, Jasmine

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide causing a variety of benign and malignant conditions. A significant portion of the global population is infected with HPV, with the virus attributed to causing up to 5% of cancers worldwide. Bivalent, quadrivalent, and nine-valent vaccinations exist to aid in the prevention of these diseases and have been proven to be effective at preventing both benign and malignant disease. While vaccination is readily accessible in more developed countries, barriers exist to worldwide distribution and acceptance of vaccination. Vaccination and screening of HPV infection when used in combination are proven and predicted to decrease HPV related pathology. Improvements in vaccination formulations, for treatment as well as prevention, are actively being sought from a variety of mechanisms. Despite these advancements, and the data supporting their efficacy, there has been substantial delay in obtaining adequate vaccination coverage. In reviewing these challenges and looking forward to new vaccine development—especially within the current pandemic—it is clear from the challenges of HPV we require methods to more effectively encourage vaccination, ways to dispel vaccination myths as they occur, and implement better processes for vaccine distribution globally.