A groundbreaking new study has found that no women aged 20 to 24 died from cervical cancer in England between 2020 and 2024, marking the first time the country has recorded zero deaths in this age group since the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Published in The Lancet, the study analyzed cervical cancer mortality data from 2001 to 2024 and found that England’s national HPV vaccination programme has already prevented an estimated 200 cervical cancer deaths. Researchers expect the number of lives saved to increase significantly as vaccinated generations grow older.
Cervical cancer is primarily caused by HPV, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. England introduced routine HPV vaccination for girls aged 12 and 13 in 2008, achieving high uptake rates among early cohorts. According to the study, women aged 20 to 24 who were vaccinated during adolescence experienced the most dramatic benefits, with cervical cancer deaths falling from an expected 23 cases to zero during the study period.
Researchers also observed significant reductions in deaths among women aged 25 to 29, while the impact was less pronounced among women aged 30 to 34 who received the vaccine later in life. Health experts note that the vaccine is most effective when administered before exposure to the virus.
The findings provide some of the strongest evidence yet that HPV vaccination not only reduces cervical cancer cases but also prevents deaths. The results support the World Health Organization’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem through widespread vaccination, screening, and treatment programmes.
Despite the success, experts have expressed concern over declining vaccination rates in England. Recent figures show that only 76 percent of girls were vaccinated by age 15 during 2024–2025, below the 90 percent coverage level recommended by the WHO for cervical cancer elimination.
Health leaders are calling for renewed efforts to improve vaccine uptake, particularly in communities where coverage remains low. Researchers say maintaining high vaccination rates will be essential to ensuring future generations remain protected from one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
The study represents a major public health milestone and highlights the life-saving impact of vaccination programmes. As more vaccinated women reach older age groups, experts expect cervical cancer deaths to continue declining, bringing the goal of eliminating the disease closer to reality.
