First of its kind research, led by Queen Mary University of London and funded by Cancer Research UK, shows that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is reducing cervical cancer deaths in England.
The study, led by Queen Mary and published recently in The Lancet, 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 commented: “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.
"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.
- Sasieni P, Falcaro M. Cervical cancer mortality trends following HPV vaccination in England, 2001-24: an analysis of population-based mortality data. Lancet. Published online June 17, 2026. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00918-9