June 19, 2026, 3:01 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

How the Study Was Conducted

For the study, researchers examined whether the HPV vaccination could not only prevent cervical cancer but also reduce the number of deaths. The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes most cases of cervical cancer. While it was already known that the vaccination protects against HPV infections and precancerous stages, its impact on mortality had hardly been studied until now.¹

To do this, the scientists analyzed national mortality data from England from 2001 to 2024. The focus was on women aged 20 to 34. England launched a nationwide HPV vaccination program for girls aged 12 to 13 in 2008. The researchers examined how cervical cancer mortality has developed since then and compared the observed deaths with the numbers that would have been expected based on earlier trends without the vaccination program.

No Deaths Between 2020 and 2024 in a Certain Age Group

The analysis shows that the number of deaths from cervical cancer has significantly decreased in the vaccinated cohorts. Particularly noteworthy: Among women aged 20 to 24, not a single death was recorded between 2020 and 2024. Based on earlier data, about 23 deaths would have been expected in this age group.

The effect was also very pronounced among those aged 25 to 29. The risk of death decreased by almost 100 percent. Even among women aged 30 to 34, mortality decreased by 63 percent. However, many of them were only vaccinated as older teenagers. Overall, the authors estimate that the vaccination program in England has prevented around 200 cervical cancer deaths by the end of 2024.

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What This Specifically Means

The study provides strong evidence that the HPV vaccination can not only protect against infections and cervical cancer but also specifically prevent deaths. The vaccination seems to be particularly effective when administered at ages 12 to 13. At that age, most girls have not yet been exposed to the HPV viruses against which the vaccine protects, so the preventive effect is greatest.

The researchers believe that the estimated 200 prevented deaths so far are only part of the long-term benefits. Since the first vaccinated cohorts are still relatively young, the number of prevented deaths could increase significantly in the coming decades. The results support the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal of largely eliminating cervical cancer in the long term and highlight the importance of high vaccination rates among adolescents.

By the way: In Germany, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends the HPV vaccination for all girls and boys aged nine to 14. Missed vaccinations should be caught up by the 18th birthday if possible.²

Also interesting: Signs that may indicate cervical cancer

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Study

The study is based on national health data from England covering a period of 24 years. This allowed the researchers to observe long-term developments with particular reliability. The results also align with previous studies that had already shown that the HPV vaccination significantly reduces the number of cervical cancer cases.

However, it is an observational study. The researchers could not determine which of the deceased women were actually vaccinated but analyzed vaccination rates of entire age groups. Therefore, a direct cause-and-effect relationship cannot be definitively proven. Nevertheless, the authors consider it very likely, as the declining mortality closely coincides with the introduction of the HPV vaccination.

Conflicts of interest were disclosed. One of the authors was involved in projects partially funded by “Merck Sharp & Dohme.” However, the present study was funded by “Cancer Research UK.” According to the authors, the funder had no influence on the study design, analysis, or publication.