08/07/2026
This is a huge milestone for preventative medicine 💙
New UK data has shown that, for the first time, there were no recorded cervical cancer deaths in women aged 20–24 in England between 2020 and 2024 – a generation routinely offered the HPV vaccine.
Researchers also found that girls vaccinated at ages 12–13 have an almost zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before age 30, with an estimated 200 lives already saved through the vaccination programme in England.
HPV causes around 99% of cervical cancers, making these findings a powerful reminder of the impact of vaccination. It’s important to remember that cervical screening (smear tests) remains important, even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine, as vaccination and screening work together to provide the best protection.
If you have questions about the HPV vaccine or cervical screening, speak to your GP or another healthcare professional, or visit the NHS website for more information.
