HPV Vaccine Cuts Cervical Cancer Deaths to Near Zero
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- Queen Mary University of London researchers, led by Prof Peter Sasieni, found zero cervical cancer deaths among women aged 20-24 in England between 2020 and 2024, compared with roughly 23 deaths expected without vaccination.
- HPV vaccination of girls aged 12-13 has saved around 200 lives in England since the school program launched in 2008, with researchers expecting more deaths to be averted as vaccinated cohorts age.
- Cancer Research UK CEO Michelle Mitchell called the findings an "incredible milestone" but warned that England's vaccination rates remain below the 90% threshold the WHO says is needed to eliminate cervical cancer.
- England's vaccination uptake stood at 76% of girls by age 15 in 2024-25, well below the WHO's recommended 90% and trailing the UK government's pledge to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2040.
- The Department of Health and Social Care said it is boosting uptake through community pharmacy catch-up campaigns and HPV self-testing kits being sent to women who have not come forward for screening.
- Alexandra Legg, diagnosed with cervical cancer at 30 in 2021 after missing the vaccine rollout, gave birth to daughter Ivy following surgery and urged eligible people to get vaccinated: "when Ivy is old enough, she'll be first in the queue."
Why it matters: England's HPV program has saved roughly 200 lives since 2008, but only 76% of girls are fully vaccinated by age 15 — below the 90% the WHO says is needed to eliminate cervical cancer, putting the UK's 2040 elimination pledge at risk if uptake does not recover.
