England records zero cervical cancer deaths in women 20-24

For the first time, no women in England aged 20 to 24 died from cervical cancer over a five-year period from 2020 to 2024, a landmark achievement attributed directly to the national HPV vaccination program. New research published in The Lancet provides the first evidence that the vaccine prevents cervical cancer deaths, estimating it has already saved around 200 lives in England.

The study, led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, found that based on historical rates, approximately 23 deaths would have been expected in that age group over the same period. The dramatic reduction is linked to the introduction of the HPV vaccine for girls aged 12 or 13 in 2008, with about 90 percent of women now aged 20 to 24 having been vaccinated. Professor Peter Sasieni, the lead researcher, called the results stunning and a triumph for vaccination, science, and public health. He noted that as far back as data exists, there has never been a year with zero deaths in this group, making five consecutive years unprecedented.

The analysis also indicates that children vaccinated at age 12 or 13 now have close to zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30. While some...