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. 2023 Dec 1;24(12):4227-4235.
doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.12.4227.

Update on HPV Vaccination Policies and Practices in 17 Eastern European and Central Asian Countries and Territories

Philip Davies  1 , Igor Aluloski  2 , Diyora Aluloski  3 , Adnana Dizdarevic Maksumic  4 , Saida Ghayrat Umarzoda  5 , Veaceslav Gutu  6 , Maral Ilmammedova  7 , Ani Janashia  8 , Merita Kocinaj-Berisha  9 , Olga Matylevich  10 , Bohdan Pidverbetskyy  11 , Gulnara Rzayeva  12 , Gayane Sahakyan  13 , Sladjana Siljak  14 , Elena Ten  15 , Marko Veljkovic  16 , Gokhan Yildirimkaya  17 , Alban Ylli  18 , Alma Zhylkaidarova  19 , Eugen Melnic  1
Affiliations

Update on HPV Vaccination Policies and Practices in 17 Eastern European and Central Asian Countries and Territories

Philip Davies et al. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. .

Abstract

Background: In 2021, a survey was conducted as part of the regional program of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) to assess the policies and practices relating to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening in the 17 countries and territories included in this region. Since then, very substantial progress has been made with HPV vaccination across the region so another survey was conducted establish the current situation.

Methods: A 10 question survey covering the policies, plans and practices for HPV vaccination was prepared. As cervical cancer prevention is a priority for the UNFPA, its offices in the 17 countries and territories included in this study are well placed to identify the people who can provide authoritative data for this survey. Working with the UNFPA offices, the questionnaires were sent to these national experts in May 2023, with data collected until 30 June 2023. All countries and territories returned completed questionnaires.

Results: In the period from 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2023, the number of countries and territories that have implemented or are implementing HPV vaccination programs has doubled. As of 30 June 2021, only 6 of 17 countries and territories had implemented national HPV vaccination programmes, and by 30 June 2023, another 6 could be added to this list. Of the 4 countries with sub-optimal vaccination coverage rates in 2021, none showed substantial improvement over the 2-year period.

Conclusions: The implementation of HPV vaccination programs across the region is progressing very rapidly with ≈70% of the countries and territories implementing or having implemented national programs. However, greater attention needs to be given to ensuring that both the old and the new programs will achieve high coverage rates.

Keywords: Central Asia; Eastern Europe; HPV vaccination.

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References

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    1. Davies P, Aluloski I, Arifdjanova D, et al. HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Screening Policies and Practices in 18 Countries, Territories and Entities across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023;24:1781–8. - PMC - PubMed
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