A landmark study published in The Lancet has come out with perhaps the strongest evidence yet that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine does more than prevent cervical cancer.
They estimated that HPV vaccination in England has saved 200 lives since it was rolled out in 2008.
Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in India and the 2nd most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD“The HPV vaccine has served as a boon in our fight against cervical cancer.
“Even after vaccination, cervical cancer screening remains essential because no vaccine covers every cancer-causing HPV type,” said Dr. Chadha.
A landmark study published in The Lancet has come out with perhaps the strongest evidence yet that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine does more than prevent cervical cancer.
According to this study, it saves lives.
Researchers analysing national data from England found that women who received the HPV vaccine in early adolescence had a close to zero risk of dying due to cervical cancer.
The study says that between 2020-2-24, there were no recorded deaths among women aged 20 to 24 years. They estimated that HPV vaccination in England has saved 200 lives since it was rolled out in 2008.
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The researchers said that this observational study compared England’s cervical cancer mortality data for 2001-24 with those who were never offered HPV vaccination.
The researchers from Queen Mary University, London, found that, among women aged 20-24 who received vaccines at 12 to 13 years between 2020 and 2024, there was a 100 percent reduction in mortality compared to historical rates. For vaccinated women aged 30 to 34, the relative risk of death from the disease is 63 percent lower.
It also showed that the vaccine reduced the incidence of cervical cancer by 87 percent in this group.
The findings arrive at a crucial moment for India, which has recently begun rolling out a national HPV vaccination programme aimed at protecting adolescent girls against one of the country’s deadliest cancers affecting women.
According to reports, nearly 50 lakh doses of the vaccine have been administered to 14-year-old girls under the country’s free Human Papillomavirus vaccination drive—this is 50% of the 1.15 crore target population nationwide.
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The HPV vaccination, which comes as a single jab, protects against HPV infection and complications, including HPV related cancers such as cervical cancer.
“The finding of no deaths among vaccinated women under 30 is encouraging, but cervical cancer usually develops much later in life. We need longer follow-up before drawing conclusions about mortality benefits,” said Dr. Geeta Chadha, a Delhi-based gynecologist and obstetrician at Delhi’s Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.
Even so, she described the findings as another important validation of a vaccine that has been in use globally for years.
Why timing matters
“HPV vaccination is not new. We have been using these vaccines in the private sector for many years. The goal is to vaccinate girls before sexual debut, before they are exposed to the virus,” she said.
According to the WHO, cervical cancer is largely preventable through vaccination and regular screening. The vaccine is most effective when administered before exposure to the virus. WHO suggests that by the age of 15 years, all countries should vaccinate 90 percent of their girls, screen 70 percent of their women, and treat 90 percent of those with cervical disease.
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“If a woman has already acquired HPV, the vaccine will not eliminate an existing infection. That is why early vaccination is so important,” Dr. Chadha explained.
She says “most HPV infections clear naturally, but a small proportion persist and can progress to cancer over many years”.
“Cervical cancer does not develop suddenly. It progresses through several pre-cancerous stages over many years, which gives us opportunities to detect and treat abnormalities before cancer develops,” she said.
India’s big vaccination push
One of the world’s highest cervical cancer burdens is in India. Current estimates indicate that every year 123907 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 77348 die from the dis
ease. Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in India and the 2nd most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.
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“The HPV vaccine has served as a boon in our fight against cervical cancer. There is greater awareness about this vaccine, and parents are now actively seeking it,” said Dr. Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals Group, calling the initiative a `game changer ‘.
“Unlike other vaccines which are administered in early infancy when babies visit the pediatrician often, HPV vaccination faces a unique challenge. It is given during the pre-teen and early teen years, when routine doctor visits become infrequent. Awareness about the vaccine’s availability and benefits is therefore critical so that a visit to a pediatrician is specifically scheduled.”
Vaccination alone is not enough.
While the Lancet findings have generated excitement, doctors caution against viewing vaccination as a complete solution.
“Even after vaccination, cervical cancer screening remains essential because no vaccine covers every cancer-causing HPV type,” said Dr. Chadha.
“Regular screening, avoiding sexually transmitted infections, maintaining good health and seeking timely medical care are equally important,” she said.
The silent infection
A major challenge in preventing cervical cancer is that HPV infection often causes no symptoms.
“Many women with HPV have a completely normal-looking cervix, and the infection is detected only through screening,” Dr. Chadha said.
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She recommends that sexually active women follow screening guidelines and discuss HPV testing with their doctors, particularly if they have concerns about exposure risk due to multiple partners or are not sure about partners’ behavior. Signs to look for are discomfort, vaginal discharge that is greenish or yellowish in colour and has a foul odour.
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