HPV Vaccinations Found Very Successful in England

According to a new report published by Public Health England (PHE), 10 years after Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program was introduced, no HPV16/18 infections were detected in 16-18-year-old women.

The PHE said in a press release on January 22, 2020, ‘this shows the HPV program has succeeded in delivering both direct and indirect cancer protection to women.’

Furthermore, PHE found that between 2014-2018, HPV 16 and 18 infection rates decreased to below 2 percent in 16 to 18-year-old women and the prevalence of HPV6 and 11, which cause about 90 percent of genital warts, decreased by 50 percent.

Additionally, the prevalence of HPV31/33/45 also declined during the post-vaccination years, to the end of 2018, suggesting evidence of substantial cross-protection, said PHE.

This is a dramatic reduction from 2008 when over 15 percent of young sexually active women were found to have these cancer-causing infections.

The persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to the development of cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers, usually, after several decades have passed.

Dr. Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist, PHE, said in the press release, ‘This is clear evidence of the success of our immunization program, which continues to achieve high coverage.’

‘With millions of young women protected by HPV vaccination, we expect to see big reductions in cervical cancer in years to come.’ 

‘And the introduction of the boys’ (HPV) program will accelerate this progress.’

The PHE national HPV vaccination program was introduced for girls in 2008 and extended to boys in 2019. The current HPV vaccine protects against HPV16, 18, 6 and 11.

In England, the first dose of the HPV vaccine is offered to 12 and 13-year-olds. The 2nd vaccine dose is given routinely anytime between 6 to 12 months after. Two doses are needed to be fully protected.

The latest PHE statistics show that 83.9 percent of 14-year-old girls had received both doses in 2018 to 2019. Eleven million doses of the vaccine have been given to young women in England, meaning over 80 percent of women aged 15 to 24 are protected.

In summary, PHE says ‘It is important that women who have had the HPV vaccine still receive cervical screening when age-appropriate, as the vaccine, does not protect against all types of the virus.’

In the USA, a new report presents positive HPV vaccination news.

The National Health Interview Survey published on January 7, 2020, indicates from 2013 through 2018, the percentage of adults aged 18−26 who reported receiving 1 or more doses of an HPV vaccine significantly increased from 22.1 percent to 39.9 percent.

This data indicates a 55 percent increase over 5 years.

And this good news may continue to be reported.

In October 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approved age range for 9vHPV (Gardasil 9) use from 9 through 26 years to both women and men, to 9 through 45 years of age.

The Gardasil 9 vaccine is the only FDA approved HPV vaccine available in the USA.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection, with HPV acquisition generally occurring soon after first sexual activity. 

Although most sexually active adults have been exposed to HPV, new infections can occur with a new sex partner.

HPV vaccine news is published by Vax Before Cancer.