Review of long-term immunogenicity following HPV vaccination: Gaps in current knowledge
Joske Hoes, Hella Pasmans, Tessa M. Schurink‐van ’t Klooster, Fiona van der Klis, Robine Donken, Johannes Berkhof, H.E. de Melker
Abstract
The licensed HPV vaccines are highly efficacious and induce high levels of neutralizing antibody levels, the assumed mediators of protection. However, a correlate of protection against HPV is lacking, and the evidence is still limited as to long-term persistence of antibodies, especially following reduced dosing schedules. The World Health Organization (WHO) urges immunization of young girls as part of the strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, thus long-lasting protection is required. The current review describes long-term follow-up regarding vaccine-induced seropositivity and antibody level development following the different vaccines and dosing schedules. Implications and opportunities of long-term vaccine-induced immune responses are discussed, such as the gaps in monitoring of long-term immunogenicity, the possibilities of reduced dosing schedules, and the importance of evidence for durable immunity.