HPV vaccination coverage and barriers for people with disability: A scoping review

This scoping review explored human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage and barriers for people with disability. Our global search identified 33 studies, all from high-income countries, published between 2006 and 2025. We found evidence of inequalities in HPV vaccination coverage for people with disability across a range of countries, sexes/genders, settings, and disability groups. Common vaccination barriers included misassumptions around sexual activity, lack of vaccination recommendations from healthcare professionals in primarily healthcare-facility-based HPV vaccination programme settings, and lack of staff training/resources. There were marked gaps in population-wide research for all people with disability, research from low- and middle-income settings, and research including deaf or blind communities, or people with physical or psychosocial disability. Disability-inclusive research methodologies were limited and should be prioritized to ensure future research meets community needs. If HPV vaccination targets are to be achieved, equitable access must be supported for all people, including people with disability.