Launching the Global HPV Consortium: Working Together to Prevent HPV & Eliminate Cervical Cancer

On September 5 – 6, 2023, the Global HPV Consortium has been launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Sabin Vaccine Institute has led the Consortium and served as the Secretariat. The WFPHA, represented by its Executive Manager, Dr Marta Lomazzi, has attended this event.

In alignment with World Health Organization’s (WHO) Immunization Agenda 2030 and Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, the Consortium serves as a worldwide public and private collaboration focused on accelerating the prevention of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern.

During the event, Anuradha Gupta, President of Global Immunization at Sabin, emphasized the need to revolutionize global public health by crafting a strategic roadmap to enhance access and adoption of HPV prevention tools, including vaccines, screening, and precancerous lesion treatment. Dr Lomazzi has emphasized the importance of ensuring universal access to gender-neutral HPV vaccination across all nations.

Cervical cancer claims the lives of approximately 350,000 women annually, with over 600,000 affected each year. This largely preventable disease primarily impacts low- and middle-income countries with limited secondary prevention resources, such as screening and treatment. Without intervention, cervical cancer is projected to surge by almost 50% by 2040. Despite the HPV vaccine’s availability for 17 years, its uptake remains low, exacerbated by the pandemic.

The Consortium has united diverse public and private stakeholders, including those focusing on vaccination, cancer control, non-communicable diseases, HIV, reproductive and adolescent health, gender equity, and women’s empowerment. Country leaders, policymakers, implementers, researchers, youth advocates, women champions, non-profits, and industry representatives, including manufacturers of vaccines, syringes, cold-chain, diagnostics, and therapeutics, have joined the launch.

The WFPHA is excited to support the Consortium to work together to prevent HPV and eliminate cervical cancer.

Protecting Healthcare Workers in Low- & Lower-Middle-Income Countries through Vaccination: Barriers, Leverages, & Next Steps

Healthcare workers play a vital role in providing medical care to individuals and communities. Compared to the general public, healthcare workers are at a higher risk of exposure to infectious diseases, including vaccine-preventable ones, due to the nature of their work. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends healthcare workers be vaccinated against tuberculosis (BCG), hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, meningococcal, influenza, varicella, pertussis, and COVID-19; yet, despite clear guidelines, these are not always implemented, especially in less wealthy countries.

Importance of Routine Vaccination of Healthcare Workers

Routine vaccination of healthcare workers not only protects them from contracting infectious diseases but also helps prevent the spread of diseases to their patients, reduce healthcare costs associated with treating infected individuals, and reduce the risk of outbreaks that overburden health systems and increase costs. Moreover, healthcare workers who are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases are less likely to miss work due to illness or infection which can improve confidence and increase overall productivity. This, in turn, is essential for providing quality healthcare and improving the efficiency of the overall healthcare system. Similarly, vaccinated healthcare workers would be more confident in their ability to perform their duties as they are less likely to experience stress and anxiety related to their work.

Despite its importance, the implementation of policies for routine vaccination of healthcare workers in low- and lower-middle-income countries faces several challenges. In a recent article published by the researchers of the WFPHA and its International Immunization Policy Taskforce, they analyzed the barriers and recommendations for policy implementation and the role of partnerships.

Main Barriers to the Implementation of Policies for Routine Vaccination of Healthcare Workers

According to the article, lack of funds, lack of specific schedules for healthcare workers, lack of evidence-based data, hesitancy, beliefs, and low literacy are the main barriers to the implementation of policies for routine vaccination of healthcare workers in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Recommendations for the Implementation of Policies for Routine Vaccination of Healthcare Workers

Expanding the COVAX initiative to cover healthcare workers, building partnerships with WHO, GAVI, governments, universities, and communities, mandatory insurance for healthcare workers, including vaccination, utilizing COVID vaccination infrastructures to vaccinate healthcare workers, collecting national data focusing on healthcare workers vaccination, increasing awareness and literacy from the university partnering with health-related student organizations, advocacy at different levels, providing specific schedules and funds addressed to healthcare workers (as done for children and pregnant women), and considering healthcare workers vaccination as part of the Occupational Safety Plan are the main recommendations for the implementation of policies for routine vaccination of healthcare workers in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

It is crucial to remember that the primary requirement for implementing the recommendations is the genuine commitment of governments to protect healthcare workers. Regrettably, numerous governments are yet to prioritize the protection of healthcare workers as essential for the well-being and prosperity of their nations. Consequently, this lack of prioritization hinders the successful implementation of the proposed recommendations, despite their potential for positive outcomes.

Health Worker Vaccination Programs in Low, Middle and Upper Middle-Income Countries: A Review

Health workers are at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases while caring for patients and communities. Immunization against commonly encountered pathogens is an effective strategy to protect them. Depending on country-specific circumstances, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends health workers be vaccinated against tuberculosis (BCG), hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, meningococcal, influenza, varicella, pertussis, and COVID-19. However, vaccination coverage amongst health workers in low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries (LIC, LMIC, and UMIC, respectively) is notably low when compared to higher-income countries. While there may be several reasons for the lower rates of coverage, one could be the lack of programs and policies to vaccinate health workers in LIC and LMIC.

In a recent article by the researchers at the WFPHA, they reviewed the current published data referencing national vaccination policies and programs for LIC, LMIC, and UMIC to understand the programs that are already in place, review the enablers and barriers to health workers vaccination programs, and inform policymakers as they plan for a post COVID-19 health system.

According to the article, the current literature concerning routine vaccination of health workers in low and middle-income countries predominantly emphasized the hepatitis B antigen, with influenza, measles, rubella, and mumps being the subsequent focus. With considerable variability by vaccine and country, in most cases, the vaccination was not offered free to health workers or included in a regular vaccination schedule.

According to the article, economic support for vaccination such as free access to vaccines, vaccines and supplies donated by manufacturers or funded by public-private partnerships, as well as effective management of the vaccination programs such as using existing Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) infrastructure, and a robust institutional framework to offer vaccines to health workers, were key facilitators to vaccinating health workers. Lack of awareness and inefficient communication, such as lack of education on vaccines or awareness of availability, lack of funds, difficult access to (i.e., lack of time and/or opportunity to receive vaccines), and lack of vaccines themselves, as well as a lack of baseline data on antigen prevalence rates among health workers, were key barriers to vaccinating health workers.

According to the article, better optimization of available programs and structures developed during the COVID-19 pandemic may be a first step when complemented by effective communication to raise awareness and create a standard of care, whereby health workers vaccination is seen as an integral part of employment safety and occupational health. Comprehensive coverage of health workers against vaccine-preventable diseases is not only a right for workers but also a key element in ensuring that their intervention in health facilities and communities is safe for all.

Allocating Sustainable Funding for Resilient Health Systems: A Distant Dream?

The lack of alignment between the economic and healthcare worlds results in an inadequate strategy for sustainable healthcare investments. Numerous decisions affecting health outcomes are made outside the health sector and health budgets, encompassing areas such as transportation, land use planning, and the environment.

On September 18, 2023, at 10:00 (CEST), esteemed speakers from various sectors and regions participated in a comprehensive dialogue, delving into the topic, showcasing real-life examples, and exchanging best practices concerning the effective distribution of budgets across different sectors. The aim is to inspire policymakers and public health professionals globally.

This webinar is available to view by clicking on the link below.

The Alliance of Public Health Associations of the Americas: New Board Members

WFPHA congratulates the new elected board members of the Alliance of the Public Health Associations of the Americas (AASPA), Anulfo Lopez as President, Rosana Onocko as Vice-President, and Fernando Sacoto as Acting Director. WFPHA is looking forward to continuing the fruitful collaboration with the new leadership of AASPA.