Health · Public Health & Disease · 8 hrs ago
WHO advisers recommend ways to stretch vaccine supplies amid funding gaps
WHO immunisation advisers recommended ways to use vaccine supplies more efficiently as health budgets shrink.
They say countries can give girls aged 9 to 14 one dose of the HPV vaccine instead of two to help prevent cervical cancer.
This could free up supplies to reach older women who missed vaccination and to vaccinate boys; countries may also consider vaccinating girls aged 4 to 8 with one dose.
During outbreaks, countries may use one diphtheria dose, followed by routine immunisation, and a smaller yellow fever dose when supplies are tight.
Polio vaccination should still include three infant doses, with extra doses possible during outbreaks.
The recommendations come as Gavi, which supports vaccination in poorer countries, has secured $9.3 billion of its $10.2 billion budget.
Countries will need to make evidence-based choices with advice from national immunisation groups to protect vaccination gains and vulnerable people.
WHO’s immunisation advisers recommended ways for countries to stretch existing vaccine supplies amid funding constraints.
They advised that girls aged 9 to 14 can receive one dose of the HPV vaccine instead of two.
The recommendations also include considering single-dose diphtheria vaccination during outbreaks and fractional-dose yellow fever vaccination in specified circumstances.
The advisers said countries should not reduce polio vaccination below a three-dose infant schedule.
The recommendations come as Gavi has secured less than its recalibrated strategic budget.
- Who
- The World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).
- What
- SAGE recommended options for using vaccine supplies more efficiently while maintaining protection.
- When
- Published on 2026-10-13. Scott discussed the recommendations at a media briefing on Tuesday.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Funding constraints, including a shortfall in Gavi’s budget, are prompting countries to make difficult choices about immunisation.
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This story does not have a timeline yet.
- HPV vaccine
- One dose for girls aged 9-14 can replace two doses
- Global HPV vaccine coverage
- 33%
- Gavi funding secured
- $9.3 billion of a recalibrated $10.2 billion budget
- Countries eligible for Gavi support
- 56 countries this year
- Polio infant schedule
- Three doses at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age
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What people are saying
So, based on a review of updated evidence, SAGE decided the single dose schedule for girls aged 9 to 14 is now the most efficient approach to achieve this global target.
Immunisation programmes now more than ever must maximise the impact of available vaccines, while safeguarding equity and still protecting the most vulnerable,
Countries must be “supported to make evidence-informed decisions