A CERVICAL CANCER mortality reduction of 100% has been estimated in women aged 20 to 24 between 2020 and 2024, who were vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) at aged 12 to 13 years in England’s 2008 HPV vaccination scheme, according to a new landmark study.
HPV Vaccination Scheme in England
Whilst cervical cancer incidence has substantially declined in several countries, there has been limited evidence on its impact on mortality rates.
In 2008, England introduced a national HPV vaccination programme for girls aged 12 to 13 years, which achieved 80-90% coverage before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the first study of its kind, researchers estimated the subsequent reduction in cervical cancer deaths in young women in England.
Mortality Reductions Hit 100%
Up to the end of 2024, HPV vaccination in England was tied to a reduction of approximately 200 cervical cancer deaths.
In women aged 20 to 24 years between 2020 and 2024, who were vaccinated at a rate of around 88-90% at aged 12 to 13 years, no deaths occurred.
Without vaccination, expected deaths would have been around 23, corresponding to a mortality reduction of 100%.
In older women, who were offered vaccination up to age 18, with coverage of around 63-87%, researchers estimated mortality reductions of 80% in women aged 20-24 years in 2015-2019 and 69% in those aged 25-29 years in 2020-24.
Relative estimated risk reduction, estimated from population-level data, was 100% in women aged 20-24 years, 100% in those aged 25-29 years, and 63% in those aged 30-34 years.
Eliminating Cervical Cancer
Overall, the study found that high HPV vaccination coverage is linked to a substantial reduction in cervical cancer mortality.
Researchers emphasised a feasible pathway towards the WHO Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health challenge.
Efforts should be made, they reported, in achieving high HPV vaccine uptake among young adolescents worldwide.
Reference
Sasieni P, Falcaro M. Cervical cancer mortality trends following HPV vaccination in England, 2001-24: an analysis of population-based mortality data. Lancet. 2026;DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00918-9.
Featured image: Sirirat Makprasert on Adobe Stock
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