How the HPV Vaccine Significantly Lowers Cervical Cancer Death Rates

Between 2020 and 2024, there have been no cervical cancer deaths among women aged 20 to 24 in the UK. This unprecedented milestone is attributed to the effective rollout of HPV vaccines.

“The results are remarkable,” says Peter Sasieni from Queen Mary University of London. “It’s tragic when young women succumb to cervical cancer. The rapid deployment of the vaccine is a monumental triumph for vaccination, science, and public health.”

Various types of HPV are sexually transmitted and can lead to cellular changes that increase cancer risk. HPV-related cervical cancer can develop in women as young as their 20s, and globally, many still die from this disease.

The initial HPV vaccine was launched in 2006, and girls aged 12-13 in the UK have been vaccinated since 2008. In 2019, vaccination programs for boys were initiated to help prevent other HPV-related cancers, such as mouth, anal, throat, and penile cancers, while also reducing the spread of the virus.

This study serves as the first robust evidence that the HPV vaccine significantly lowers the rates of HPV infection and cervical cancer mortality. Research on cervical cancer incidence supports this assertion. Although it may seem straightforward to prevent deaths, Sasieni emphasizes that women less likely to get vaccinated also tend to miss screenings. This raised concerns that vaccines primarily protect those cancers detectable through early screening, rather than the more aggressive cancers that screening might miss.

Fortunately, this is not the case. Sasieni and his colleague Milena Falcaro have been tracking cervical cancer statistics in the UK and found no deaths among women aged 20 to 24 from 2020 to 2024, based on the latest data. Historically, about 23 deaths were expected. “I’ve never seen a year with zero deaths,” Sasieni remarked, “so five consecutive years without any is truly remarkable.”

This significant reduction is likely due to the HPV vaccination, with around 90% of women aged 20-24 in the UK having been vaccinated at age 12 or 13. “This promising information reveals that the HPV vaccine saves lives, allowing us to confidently tell this generation that cervical cancer and other cancers related to HPV are not a threat,” says Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination at NHS UK.

While this study primarily focused on cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine also targets other HPV-related cancers, benefiting both men and women by preventing genital warts.

Sasieni and Falcaro did note deaths among women aged 25 to 29, but these were significantly lower than anticipated. In total, they estimate that approximately 200 lives have already been saved, which is only the beginning. “The 200 lives estimated is only the surface, as it appears to provide long-term protection,” Sasieni stated. “In the future, we may project around 18,000 deaths that could be prevented due to the vaccine.”

However, the global coverage of the HPV vaccine remains low, and cervical cancer rates are still rising. There are concerns that death rates could increase as fewer teenagers receive vaccinations in the UK. “The concerning fact is that vaccine uptake has significantly dropped since COVID-19,” Sasieni warned.

“HPV vaccination remains crucial to the NHS’s goal of eradicating cervical cancer by 2040,” notes Temmink. “This safe and effective vaccine should be embraced by everyone eligible when offered.”