Prof Sasieni, who specialises in cancer epidemiology at Queen Mary University of London, describes the reduction in deaths since the introduction of the vaccine as the “tip of the iceberg”.
“As vaccinated generations grow older, we’ll see many more lives saved from cervical cancer,” he adds.
“New research shows just how vital it is to keep HPV vaccination levels high so more people are protected.”
The UK government has pledged to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2040.
But the latest data shows vaccination rates across the country have fallen below recommended levels.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows that 76% of girls in England were vaccinated by the age of 15 in 2024-25, well below the 90% that the World Health Organization (WHO) says is needed to eliminate cervical cancer.
“It’s essential that the UK Government and health systems urgently address this with targeted action to reach communities where uptake is the lowest,” says Michelle Mitchell at Cancer Research UK.
Despite the rollout of the HPV vaccine, women aged 25 to 64 are still advised to attend cervical screening (formerly known as a smear test).
Boys have also been given the HPV vaccine since 2019, which helps to protect them against anal, penis, throat and mouth cancers, and reduces the risk of them passing the virus on to girls.
The Department of Health and Social Care in England said the study showed the “extraordinary impact of the HPV vaccination”.
“We are boosting vaccine uptake so that more young people benefit from this life-saving protection – including rolling out catch-up HPV vaccination campaigns via community pharmacies,” said a spokesman.
HPV self-testing kits are also being sent out to women who have not yet come forward for screening, he added.
