Key decision-making factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program introduction in low-and-middle-income-countries: Global and national stakeholder perspectives. Issue 7 (30th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guillaume, Dominique; Waheed, Dur-e-Nayab; Schlieff, Meike; Muralidharan, Kirthini; Vorsters, Alex; Limaye, Rupali
• Is Part Of: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. Volume 18:Issue 7(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-30
• Subjects: Decision-making -- human papillomavirus vaccination -- low-and-middle-income countries -- policy -- HPV vaccination decision-making -- HPV; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2150454
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2164-5515

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) experience a high burden of cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents high-risk strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer; however, the integration of HPV vaccines into national immunization programs within many LMICs has been suboptimal. Our study evaluated key factors that drive the decision-making process for the implementation of HPV vaccine programs in LMICs. Stakeholder analysis and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with national and global stakeholders. Interview data were analyzed through qualitative descriptive methods. Findings from our study revealed the decision-making process for HPV vaccines requires the involvement of multiple institutions and stakeholders from national and global levels, with decision-making being a country-specific process. Partner considerations, locally driven processes, availability of data, and infrastructure and resource considerations were found to be critical factors in the decision-making process. Future programs should evaluate the best approaches for investing in initiatives to enhance coordination, ensure vaccine introduction is locally driven, increase the availability of data needed for decision-making, and equip countries with the necessary resources to guide country decision-making in the face of increasingly complex decision-making environments.