Determining context-specific economically feasible age ranges for female HPV catch-up vaccination in LMICs: a model-based health economic assessment

A one-time HPV catch-up vaccination campaign targeting females aged 9-30 in 132 LMICs could prevent nearly 7 million cervical cancer cases and over 3.5 million deaths, with cost-effectiveness varying by country.

• Why it matters: This work addresses the gap in understanding the optimal age ranges for HPV catch-up vaccination in LMICs to maximize health impact and cost-effectiveness, supporting cervical cancer elimination efforts.
• What they did: Using the IARCs METHIS modelling platform, the study assessed the health-economic impact of a single vaccination campaign in 2026, targeting females aged 9-30 with 90% coverage across 132 LMICs, estimating costs and health outcomes.
• The result: Catch-up vaccination was cost-effective until age 30 in most studied countries, with one country showing cost-effectiveness only until age 23, indicating age-specific feasibility for impactful cervical cancer prevention.