HPV Vaccine Eliminates Cervical Cancer Deaths in English Women Aged 20-24
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has effectively eliminated cervical cancer deaths among women aged 20 to 24 in England, according to new analysis published in The Lancet. The study, the first of its kind, indicates that around 200 lives have been saved since the jab was introduced for school-age girls in 2008.
Between 2020 and 2024, no cervical cancer deaths were recorded in the 20-24 age group, a stark contrast to the estimated 23 deaths that would have occurred without vaccination. Lead researcher Professor Peter Sasieni of Queen Mary University of London noted the profound impact, stating that a single jab could “almost eliminate a particular type of cancer.” Children vaccinated at 12 or 13 years old now face a near-zero risk of dying from the disease before age 30, a demographic that previously saw approximately 20 deaths annually.
Despite this progress, cervical cancer remains the 14th most common cancer among females in the UK, with 3,300 diagnoses each year, 99% of which are attributed to HPV. Cancer Research UK, which funded the research, highlighted these findings as an “incredible milestone” but cautioned that current vaccination rates in England are below recommended targets. The UK Health Security Agency reported that only 76% of girls in England were vaccinated by age 15 in 2024-25, significantly short of the World Health Organization’s 90% target required for cervical cancer elimination.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the “extraordinary impact” of the vaccine and outlined efforts to boost uptake through community pharmacy campaigns and HPV self-testing kits for those not attending screening. While the vaccine’s benefits are clear, women aged 25 to 64 are still advised to attend cervical screening. Since 2019, boys have also received the HPV vaccine, offering protection against other cancers and reducing viral transmission.
