WHO meeting on the standardization of HPV assays and the role of WHO HPV LabNet in supporting vaccine introduction

Overview

In anticipation of the implementation of new prophylactic HPV vaccines, the WHO is supporting the establishment of a global HPV laboratory network (LabNet) whose mission is to “contribute to improving the quality of laboratory services for effective surveillance and monitoring of HPV vaccination impact through enhanced, state-of-the-art laboratory support”. To date, two Global Reference Laboratories and seven Regional Reference Laboratories have been assigned to the WHO HPV LabNet.

WHO convened a meeting at its headquarters in Geneva, 23-25 January 2008 to review the activities of the WHO HPV LabNet in its first year and to plan for the next step of the WHO HPV LabNet in order to meet the future demands of vaccination programmes. The WHO meeting placed particular emphasis on the harmonization of WHO HPV LabNet practices and standardization of HPV assays as these are crucial for the success of the WHO HPV LabNet in conducting studies measuring HPV disease burden and vaccine impact.

The first day of the meeting was concluded with WHO HPV LabNet members proposing revisions to the generic Terms of Reference for 2008-2009. The report of this WHO HPV LabNet meeting is available on the HPV LabNet SharePoint located on the WHO website. The objectives of the second and third day of the meeting (24-25 January 2008) were to assist in developing the workplan for the WHO HPV LabNet so that it functions efficiently and prioritizes its activities effectively; identifying gaps and prioritizing tasks. Upon the conclusion of the meeting in a closed session, recommendations were identified to assist the LabNet in fulfilling its mission. These included recommendations on reinforcing the WHO HPV LabNet, on HPV assays and standardization and to WHO and public health authorities in supporting the WHO HPV LabNet.