Authors report that the 9 valent vaccine could potentially provide broader coverage and prevent 90% of cervical cancer cases worldwide.
A related editorial highlights that to make an impact on HPV-associated disease, particularly cervical cancer, which is responsible for over a quarter of a million cancer-related deaths in developing countries, wide coverage of young women with HPV vaccination is crucial. A number of studies have shown that this can be achieved; however, a substantial amount of financial, logistical, and human resource support is required. The extra protection provided by the 9 valent vaccine is unlikely to make any difference to the lives of women in low to middle income countries if access is limited by cost, logistical, political, and health-system constraints, despite attempts by many societal sectors to bring HPV vaccination to these areas. Although the research presented in this paper is robust, credible, and done to the highest standards, it might still be far from providing an intervention that will save the lives of women in low to middle income countries.