WHO proposes younger HPV vaccination age

On October 13, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed reducing the age for HPV vaccination in girls to as young as 4 to 8 years to address an alarming global delay in vaccination rates.

Global vaccination rates fall short of goals

The objective set by the WHO is to achieve 90% global vaccination coverage by 2030, although current rates peak around 33%. This gap has prompted international authorities to seek new strategies to increase uptake.

Experts suggest earlier vaccination for girls

Experts gathered under the auspices of the WHO are considering vaccinating children much earlier than adolescence, with the proposed window ranging between 4 and 8 years. This approach challenges traditional expectations and could change how parents view the timing of vaccinations.

SAGE recommends single-dose strategy

On October 13, 2026, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) of the WHO presented this option during a press conference. Based on updated data since 2022, SAGE concluded that the single-dose vaccination schedule for girls aged 9 to 14 years is now the most effective approach to achieving the global target of 90% vaccination coverage.

Expanded vaccination plans outlined

The head of SAGE noted that the single-dose strategy could be gradually extended to other target groups. The proposed priority order includes catch-up vaccination for women up to the age of 25, then up to 30 years, followed by routine vaccination of boys aged 9 to 14.