Faced with cervical cancer, international authorities are seeking to fill the gap in vaccination against human papillomavirus. The objective set is to achieve 90% of global coverage by 2030, while it currently plateaus around 33%. To make up for this delay, experts gathered under the aegis of the World Health Organization are considering an approach that shakes up parents’ benchmarks: vaccinating children well before adolescence. The window mentioned is between 4 and 8 years.
What the WHO suggests for HPV vaccination from 4 years old
On October 13, 2026, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (Sage) presented this option during a press briefing. Based on data updated since 2022, the Sage concluded “that the single-dose vaccination schedule for girls aged 9 to 14 years was now the most effective approach to achieving the global target of 90% vaccination coverage“, according to Anthony Scott. In this context, experts believe that “Countries may also consider routine vaccination of girls aged 4 to 8 years if this is likely to increase vaccination uptake and coverage.“.
The head of Sage specifies that this one-dose strategy “could then be gradually extended to other target groups“. The proposed order of priority is detailed: “First the catch-up vaccination of women until the age of 25, then until the age of 30, followed by the routine vaccination of boys aged 9 to 14 and, finally, the catch-up vaccination of men until the age of 20.“. Boys therefore remain included, but at a later stage compared to girls.
HPV: why the WHO is aiming for a target of 90% coverage
For the WHO, this acceleration aims to prevent cancer which remains very deadly. The human papilloma virus is the main cause of
cervical cancerthe fifth most common female cancer, with 604,000 new cases and 280,000 deaths in 2024, while the vaccine has already been introduced in 165 countries.
The WHO recalls that “Almost all sexually active people will be infected with the human papillomavirus at one time or another, most often without showing symptoms.“.”Vaccination against the papillomavirus thus remains the best way to protect against cancers due to HPV infection, such as those of the cervix, anus, ENT or penis.“, insists the organization.
In France, what does this WHO recommendation change for parents?
In France, the schedule provides for two doses of HPV vaccine, administered five months apart, for girls and boys aged 11 to 14. The Sage’s proposal remains a recommendation: each country will decide whether or not it lowers the age of vaccination to around 4-8 years, depending on its organization and acceptability.