HPV vaccine slashes cervical cancer death risk for young women, UK study finds

Young women vaccinated against HPV in their early teens now face a near-zero chance of dying from cervical cancer before age 30, according to a landmark UK study.

The research, led by experts at Queen Mary University of London, reveals a sharp decline in cervical cancer deaths since the vaccine was introduced for schoolgirls aged 12-13 in 2008. The study estimates that around 200 lives have been saved in England to date due to the vaccination program.

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It’s incredible to think that a single jab can almost eliminate a particular type of cancer

Among women aged 20-24 between 2020 and 2024, where vaccination coverage was high at 88-90%, no deaths from cervical cancer occurred. The study projects that without vaccination, 23 deaths would have been likely in this age group. For vaccinated women aged 30-34, the risk of dying from cervical cancer is 63% lower compared to unvaccinated individuals.

Peter Sasieni, a biostatistician involved in the study, expressed amazement at the vaccine's impact, stating, "It’s incredible to think that a single jab can almost eliminate a particular type of cancer." The World Health Organization aims for 90% of girls globally to be vaccinated against HPV by age 15. However, vaccination rates have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about maintaining progress towards eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue.

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In the UK, the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in our lifetime is possible with continued action to improve access to vaccination and screening for all