Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination represents one of the most significant advances in cancer prevention, with the potential to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. However, implementation in conservative societies faces unique challenges related to cultural, religious, and social factors. Saudi Arabia’s journey toward HPV vaccination policy development and implementation provides valuable insights into overcoming these barriers while maintaining cultural sensitivity and achieving public health objectives. This narrative review examined HPV vaccination policy development, implementation status, epidemiological data, cultural factors, healthcare infrastructure, and regional comparisons through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and official Saudi Ministry of Health publications from 2010 to 2024. Saudi Arabia achieved regulatory approval for HPV vaccines in 2010; however, it implemented national vaccination programs in March 2022. The school-based program demonstrated remarkable success with 70% uptake rates among eligible schoolgirls, with over 131,087 students being vaccinated. However, population-wide coverage remains limited at 4%–8%. HPV prevalence is moderate at 14.9%, with cervical cancer incidence of 1.9–3.5 per 100,000 women annually. Cultural and religious factors significantly influence acceptance, with 60%–71% acceptance rates despite barriers. Healthcare provider knowledge gaps exist, with only 62% demonstrating adequate HPV knowledge. Saudi Arabia has successfully established HPV vaccination programs with strong government commitment and effective school-based delivery. Key challenges include expanding beyond school populations, addressing healthcare provider knowledge gaps, and overcoming cultural barriers. The program aligns with Vision 2030 health transformation goals and positions Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in conservative society vaccination implementation.
Almohammadi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.