No Women Aged 20 to 24 Died of Cervical Cancer in England From 2020 to 2024

The HPV vaccine has achieved what many once deemed impossible: eliminating cervical cancer deaths among women aged 20 to 24 in England over a five-year span.

The HPV Vaccine’s Impact on Cervical Cancer Deaths

England’s HPV vaccination program, launched in 2008, has been credited with preventing approximately 200 cervical cancer deaths so far. The vaccine, administered to girls aged 12 or 13, has proven so effective that researchers estimate 23 lives were saved in the youngest cohort alone between 2020 and 2024. It’s incredible to think that a single jab can almost eliminate a particular type of cancer, said Peter Sasieni, the study’s lead researcher at Queen Mary University of London. The program’s success hinges on high vaccination rates, with 90% of girls under 15 needing to be immunized to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue by 2040.

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HPV, the human papillomavirus, is responsible for nearly all cervical cancer cases. The vaccine works by training the immune system to recognize and combat the virus before it can cause cellular damage.

Challenges in Maintaining Vaccination Rates

Despite the progress, vaccination rates have dipped below the WHO’s 90% target. As of 2024-2025, only 76% of 15-year-old girls in England received the vaccine, leaving gaps in protection. Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, warned that the gains are not guaranteed without urgent efforts to address disparities. It’s essential that the UK Government and health systems urgently address this with targeted action to reach communities where uptake is the lowest, she said.

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Global Implications and Future Outlook

Wales and Scotland have set similar targets, aligning with the WHO’s global initiative to reduce cervical cancer incidence by 90% by 2030. As vaccinated generations grow older, we’ll see many more lives saved from cervical cancer, Sasieni said, highlighting the long-term benefits of sustained immunization.

Public health officials are now focusing on expanding the vaccine’s reach to boys and men, who can also transmit HPV. The UK began offering the vaccine to boys in 2019, a move that could further reduce transmission rates.

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The Road Ahead

The elimination of cervical cancer deaths in England’s youngest cohort is a testament to the power of preventive medicine. Yet, the journey is far from over. Sustaining high vaccination rates will require addressing misinformation, improving access, and reinforcing the vaccine’s role in public health. But we must remain vigilant to ensure no one is left behind.

For now, the data is clear: the HPV vaccine has transformed cervical cancer from a deadly threat into a preventable disease. As the world watches England’s success, the question remains whether other nations can replicate its achievements—and whether the momentum will hold as new generations come of age.