The Status of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Recommendation, Funding, and Coverage in WHO Europe Countries (2018–2019)

Background: There is a need to better understand HPV vaccination (HPVv) implementation in WHO Europe Region (WHO/ER), including recommendations, funding, and vaccination coverage rates (VCR).Methods: A targeted literature review (up to 31 January 2020) was conducted using national health ministry websites, WHO database, and published studies from WHO/ER countries (n = 53).HPVv recommendations and funding data (target age, gender, schedule, setting, target and monitored VCR) for primary and catch-up cohorts were collected.Results: National recommendations for HPVv exist in 46/53 (87%) countries, of which 38 (83%), 2 (4%), and 6 (13%) countries provided full, partial, or no funding, respectively, for the primary cohort.Fully or partially funded HPVv was provided for girls only in 25/53 (47%) countries and for both boys and girls in 15/53 (28%) countries.HPVv catch-up was fully or partially funded in 14/53 (26%) countries.Among 40 countries with a national immunization program (NIP), monitored VCRs ranged from 4.3% to 99% (n = 30).Of the 10 countries reporting VCR targets, only Portugal exceeded its target. Conclusion:Of the 53 WHO/ER countries, 40 have funded HPVv NIPs, among which 30 report VCRs.Additional efforts are required to ensure HPVv NIPs are fully funded and high VCRs maintained.