Randomized Trial of Single-Dose HPV Vaccination in Young Women: 54-Month Efficacy and Durability

Professor Ruanne Barnabas will present findings from the KEN SHE Study, a randomized trial in Kenya assessing the efficacy of a single-dose HPV vaccine among young women. At 54 months of follow-up, the study demonstrates lasting protection against HPV infection, providing key evidence that shaped the World Health Organization’s updated guidelines recommending one or two doses for adolescents ages 9–20. The session will explore how a simplified vaccination schedule could transform cervical cancer prevention worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to multi-dose regimens is limited. By reducing barriers to vaccination, this approach has the potential to expand coverage, promote equity, and accelerate progress toward global cervical cancer elimination. A Q&A will follow the presentation.

This event is free and open to the public.

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Ruanne Barnabas, MBChB, PhD
Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at MGH; Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Dr. Ruanne Barnabas is a South African physician scientist, the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Over that last 15 years her research has focused on interventions for HIV and STD treatment and prevention, and, more recently on COVID-19 prevention. She is the Protocol Chair of the KEN SHE Study to assess the impact of single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Kenya. The ultimate aim of her work is to identify effective and scalable HIV, HPV, and infectious disease treatment and prevention strategies to increase access across diverse communities and promote equity in health.

In addition to leading clinical trials and companion health economic modeling as an independently funded investigator, she also serves as an advisor to the World Health Organization and UNAIDS on cervical cancer elimination and treatment and prevention of HIV. She was honored as a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in 2020. She has over 130 peer reviewed publications.

About the Global Research and Innovation Speaker Series

The Harvard Global Health Institute’s Global Health Research and Innovation Speaker Series showcases the latest scholarly and scientific advancements in global health across Harvard and beyond, to make cutting-edge research accessible to a diverse global audience, and to spark innovative solutions in the pursuit of health equity and improved health outcomes worldwide. The public series takes place virtually on the second Tuesday of each month from 12:00 to 12:45 pm ET. Each session will include a presentation by a featured speaker showcasing their innovative research in global health, followed by a moderated Q&A.

The Harvard Global Health Institute provides a platform for different perspectives and debates within the field of global health through a variety of media. The views expressed in these events and programs are solely those of the speakers, authors, researchers, and participating audience. As such, they do not speak for the institute or the university.