HPV vaccination provides ‘sustained protection’ against cervical cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is associated with a significantly reduced risk of invasive cervical cancer, with no indication of waning protection up to 18 years after vaccination, finds a study from Sweden published by The BMJ.

Researchers found that those who were vaccinated before age 17 had a substantially (79%) lower risk of cervical cancer compared with unvaccinated individuals, with sustained protection (77% lower risk) for 13-15 years after vaccination.

Individuals vaccinated at age 17 or older had a 37% lower risk of invasive cervical cancer compared with the unvaccinated group, with a 46% lower risk 10-12 years after vaccination and a 77% lower risk 13-15 years after vaccination.

Their results also show a population level decline in cervical cancer cases over time.

The authors concludes: ‘This study provides evidence of sustained protection against invasive cervical cancer throughout 18 years of follow-up, with no indication of waning protection. These findings further support global strategies for eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem by achieving high-coverage of routine HPV vaccination.’

Wu S, et al. BMJ 2026;392:e087326

https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2025-087326