A groundbreaking study from Queen Mary University of London, funded by Cancer Research UK, reveals that approximately 200 lives in England have already been saved thanks to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This number is expected to increase as more individuals are vaccinated and age into higher-risk populations.
The research demonstrates the vaccine’s remarkable effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer. Girls vaccinated at 12–13 years old now face almost zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before turning 30. Notably, between 2020 and 2024, England recorded zero cervical cancer deaths among women aged 20 to 24—a first in the country’s history.
Published in The Lancet, the study also found an 80% decline in cervical cancer deaths among women aged 20-24 between 2015 and 2019. The HPV vaccine was introduced for girls in 2008 and extended to boys in 2019 to curb the spread of the virus, which is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. HPV includes around 13 high-risk types responsible for 99.7% of cervical cancers, as well as other cancers in the mouth, throat, and genital warts.
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Despite these remarkable achievements, experts express concern over declining vaccination rates. In England, the HPV vaccine is routinely offered to Year 8 students, with some catch-up programs for Years 9 and 10. In 2024-2025, uptake was 71.7% for girls and 67% for boys in Year 8, increasing slightly by Year 10, but these figures remain below the World Health Organization’s target of 90%. London reports the lowest vaccination rates with just 62.6% for girls and 57.7% for boys.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, emphasizes the urgency of addressing these falling rates: “The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at stopping cervical cancer before it starts. This study confirms it is saving lives—a powerful testament to scientific progress supported by strong public health programs. However, with vaccination rates declining, thousands of young people risk missing out on vital protection.”
Professor Peter Sasieni, lead author from Queen Mary University, adds: “Since its introduction, the HPV vaccine has prevented nearly 200 young women in England from dying of cervical cancer. As vaccinated cohorts age, the positive mortality impact will grow significantly.”
NHS director of vaccination Caroline Temmink praises the vaccine’s success: “This is hugely encouraging news. Combined with cervical screening, HPV vaccination is vital to the NHS’s ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. The vaccine is safe, effective, and we urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated when invited.”
Maintaining high vaccination coverage alongside regular cervical screening remains crucial. Together, these efforts bring England closer to a future where cervical cancer is no longer a common threat.