HPV Vaccination in Scotland Eliminates Cervical Cancer

A recent study confirms that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination prevents the development of invasive cervical cancer, regardless of dosage.
Published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on January 22, 2025, this analysis concluded that even one or two doses one month apart confer benefit if given at 12-13 years of age. At older ages, three HPV doses are required for statistically significant vaccine effectiveness.
No cases of invasive cancer were recorded in women immunized at 12 or 13 years of age, irrespective of the number of doses.
Women vaccinated at 14 to 22 years of age and given three doses of the bivalent vaccine showed a significant reduction in incidence compared with all unvaccinated women (3.2/100 000 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1 to 4.6] vs. 8.4 [95% CI = 7.2 to 9.6]).
Unadjusted incidence was significantly higher in women from most deprived (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 1) than least deprived (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 5) areas (10.1/100 000 [95% CI = 7.8 to 12.8] vs 3.9 [95% CI = 2.6 to 5.7]).
Women from the most deprived areas showed a significant reduction in incidence following three doses of vaccine (13.1/100 000 [95% CI = 9.95 to 16.9] vs 2.29 [95% CI = 0.62 to 5.86]).
Dr. Kirsty Roy, Consultant in Health Protection, Public Health Scotland, and co-author of this encouraging study, said in a press release, "This study involves every woman in Scotland who is eligible for the cervical cancer screening program and demonstrates the impact of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer."
"It shows how effective the HPV vaccine is as there have been no cervical cancer cases to date in fully vaccinated women who were given their first dose at age 12-13 years.
"Vaccination against HPV is shown to be effective in preventing cervical cancer, and along with regular screening for early detection and treatment, it is possible to make cervical cancer a rare disease."
In the United States, Merck's GARDASIL 9® vaccine has been found to protect women and men ages 9 to 45 against diseases caused by nine types of HPV. GARDSIL is generally available at clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.
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