The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been estimated to reduce the risk of cervical cancer death before age 30 to effectively zero, according to the first study looking at lives saved by the vaccine.
Led by Queen Mary University of London and published in The Lancet, the study estimates that the HPV vaccine has prevented around 200 cervical cancer deaths in England so far, with the number of lives saved set to rise as vaccinated generations grow older, and more people receive the vaccination.
Until now, it has not been possible to show directly that HPV vaccination reduces cervical cancer deaths. However, with vaccinated generations now reaching adulthood, this potential impact can be studied, with this research providing the strongest national evidence to date that the HPV vaccine is saving lives.
A school-based HPV vaccination programme was introduced across the UK in 2008, which offered the vaccine to all girls aged 12-13. This was extended to eligible boys in 2019. Anyone who missed their vaccine when first offered could get it for free via their GP up to the age of 25.
In this study, the researchers looked at the rates of cervical cancer mortality in women in England following the introduction of the national vaccination programme. In their findings, they estimate that children who were vaccinated at age 12–13 have close to zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30, reflecting the huge success of the school-based HPV vaccination programme.
Remarkably, the study reports no deaths from cervical cancer in women aged 20-24 years in England for the first time between 2020 and 2024, when HPV vaccine coverage in this cohort was close to 90%.
Peter Sasieni, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology, Centre Co-Lead for the Centre for Cancer Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis at Queen Mary University of London, said: “For more than two decades, our team has been building evidence to show that HPV causes cervical cancer and that vaccination prevents infections, precancerous changes, and the disease itself. This is the first study to highlight the impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer mortality.
“It's amazing news that no women aged between 20–24 died from cervical cancer in the whole of England between 2020 and 2024. That remarkable fact is thanks to nearly 90% of Gen Z women having received the HPV vaccine through the school vaccination and catch-up programmes.
"We estimate that since its introduction, HPV vaccination has prevented nearly 200 young women from dying from cervical cancer in England. But that's just the tip of the iceberg – as vaccinated generations grow older, we’ll see many more lives saved from cervical cancer. It is incredible to think that a single jab can almost eliminate a particular type of cancer, and this new research shows just how vital it is to keep HPV vaccination levels high so more people are protected.”
The HPV vaccine is proven to provide safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against cancers caused by HPV infection. Despite the vaccine’s success, uptake remains below the level needed to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem – just 76–86% of girls and 71-80% of boys in the UK are vaccinated by age 15 – with even lower uptake rates in more deprived areas. Calls are being made on the UK Government to deliver on its commitment to tackle cervical cancer by stepping up efforts to boost vaccination rates, with a clear approach, sustained investment and targeted action to overcoming some of the challenges the vaccination programme faces, including obtaining consent, local authorities not completing required HPV vaccine catch-up activity, and vaccine hesitancy.
Chief executive of Cancer Research UK Michelle Mitchell, said: “This is an incredible milestone and major progress in our mission to beat cancer. We know the HPV vaccine is extremely effective at stopping cervical cancer before it starts and for the first time, these findings show it is saving lives – a powerful example of what’s possible when science is backed by strong public health programmes.
“Thanks to HPV vaccination and cervical screening, a future where almost nobody gets cervical cancer is now firmly in sight. But uptake of the vaccine has dropped in recent years, and this progress is at risk. It’s essential that the UK Government and health systems urgently address this with targeted action to reach communities where uptake is the lowest.
"Beating cervical cancer means beating it for everyone. Every parent and guardian can support this by making sure children and young people get the HPV vaccine. It’s also important that people take up cervical screening when invited, even if they have had the HPV vaccine.”
