HPV vaccination: what do new studies show?

HPV vaccination is often described as a way to prevent cancer. But how strong is the evidence?

Today, we have data showing not only that vaccination reduces the incidence of HPV infection and precancerous changes, but also that it is associated with a reduction in cervical cancer mortality.

How is HPV linked to cancer?

HPV is an extremely common infection. Most infections clear on their own, but some types of the virus can persist in the body for a long time.

Persistent infection with certain types of HPV can lead to precancerous changes and, eventually, cervical cancer.

This is why preventing the infection is important long before any symptoms appear.

What have vaccination programs shown?

Some of the most compelling data have come from England, where a national HPV vaccination program was introduced for adolescents.

A recent study evaluated cervical cancer mortality among women in different age groups.

Between 2020 and 2024, no deaths from cervical cancer were recorded among women aged 20–24 who had high vaccination coverage during adolescence.

Researchers estimated that without the national vaccination program, around 23 deaths could have been expected in this age group.

Older age groups also showed a significant reduction in mortality. At the same time, vaccination coverage among these groups during adolescence was lower.

These findings are particularly important because they demonstrate not only a reduction in infection or precancerous changes, but also an association between vaccination and reduced cancer mortality.

Does this mean that the vaccine completely eliminates the risk of cancer?

No.

The HPV vaccine protects against the most important types of the virus, but not against every possible cause of cervical cancer.

Therefore, even vaccinated women should undergo regular screening.

Vaccination significantly reduces the risk, but it does not make it zero.

Why is vaccination particularly important during adolescence?

The vaccine works best at preventing new HPV infection.

Therefore, it provides the greatest benefit before potential exposure to the virus.

This is why vaccination during adolescence is the foundation of most national HPV prevention programs.

At the same time, vaccination may still be beneficial at an older age — the decision depends on age, previous vaccination, and the individual situation.

What if a person is already infected with HPV?

The vaccine does not treat an existing infection or eliminate changes that have already developed.

However, having or having previously had an infection with one type of HPV does not mean that vaccination provides no benefit: the vaccine can protect against other types of the virus that a person has not yet encountered.

Why doesn't vaccination replace the Pap test and other types of screening?

Because vaccination and screening work in different ways.

Vaccination prevents infection and related diseases.

Screening detects precancerous changes that have already developed.

Therefore, even after completing HPV vaccination, it is important to follow cervical cancer screening recommendations.

What do the data show today?

Today, there is a large body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of HPV vaccination.

We know that vaccination:

• reduces the incidence of infection with oncogenic HPV types;
• reduces the number of precancerous cervical changes;
• reduces the risk of cervical cancer;
• is associated with reduced cervical cancer mortality at the population level.

The new data from England provide further important evidence that HPV vaccination is not simply a way to prevent infection, but a real tool for preventing cancer deaths.

Key message

Cervical cancer is, to a significant extent, a preventable disease.

HPV vaccination helps protect a person before the virus can cause precancerous changes.

However, maximum protection cannot be achieved through one method alone: vaccination and regular screening should complement each other.

If you want to understand whether you or your child should receive HPV vaccination, how many doses are needed, and which schedule should be followed, this can be discussed individually with a doctor.