Health and economic impact of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Mozambique

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Mozambique is among the countries with the highest cervical cancer (CC) incidence rates in the world. Yet, in sub-Saharan Africa, only 5% of CC patients receive appropriate treatment. In 2021, Mozambique integrated the prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its national immunization program as a primary prevention strategy. As part of a qualitative research effort on participatory modeling, this study aimed to quantify the magnitude and distribution of expected health and economic outcomes of the current HPV vaccination program, hypothetical scale-up scenarios, and global targets.

We applied and extended a closed cohort model to quantify the vaccine program’s direct potential population health benefits (in averted CC cases and deaths), financial savings to patients (in direct medical treatment costs saved and in financial risk protection provided), health provider benefits measures in saved labour (full-time equivalents, FTEs) and distribution of benefits under empirically informed and potential vaccination coverage scenarios.

With a coverage of 18.9% in 2021, the vaccination program is estimated to avert up to 9.7% of expected CC cases and deaths (from 4.0% in the highest socioeconomic quintile (HQ) to 11.6% in the lowest socioeconomic quintile (LQ)). Across the lifetime of a single vaccination cohort, an average of US$106,532 (min: US$48,382, max: US$157,811) in direct medical CC treatment expenditure for patients and the time equivalent to 59 full-time healthcare workers is saved per year. Over 30 years, 50% vaccination coverage could prevent 23.9% of predicted cases and fatalities (LQ: 25.2% to HQ: 14.8%). With a gradient in vaccine coverage favoring higher socioeconomic quintiles in urban areas, the benefits in the LQ rural population are estimated to be six times greater than in the LQ urban population.

These findings can contribute to fair and efficient planning decisions from various stakeholder perspectives in policy dialogues around the HPV vaccination programme in Mozambique, and at a global level.

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Key messages

• This study evaluates the health and economic effects of Mozambique’s HPV vaccination program using a cohort-based modeling approach, estimating reductions in cervical cancer cases, financial burden, and healthcare system demands.

• At 50% vaccine coverage, the program could avert 26% of expected cervical cancer cases and deaths, with the highest impact observed among lower-income populations who face greater disease burden and limited access to care.

• The financial benefits extend beyond individual health gains, as the program could reduce catastrophic health expenditures, alleviate pressure on the healthcare workforce, and contribute to more equitable health outcomes.

• These insights support strategic decision-making on HPV vaccination expansion, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to maximize both effectiveness and equity in Mozambique’s cancer prevention initiatives.