ANALYSIS OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE NONAVALENT ANTI-HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE IN CHILE

Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are currently the main tool for controlling cervical cancer, as they prevent infection by this virus, identified as the etiological agent of this disease. The National Immunization Program in Chile has incorporated, starting this year, the nonavalent HPV vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer, which represents a sound public health decision. The nonavalent HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent infection by 9 viral subtypes: 2 low-risk types, 6 and 11, associated with benign lesions, and 7 high-risk types, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, which are linked to 90% of all cervical cancers. The nonavalent HPV vaccine replaces the quadrivalent vaccine, in use in Chile since 2014, which only prevents infection by subtypes 6, 11, 16, and 18, making its coverage narrower compared to the nonavalent vaccine.