HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer and protection lasts for at least 18 years, according to a new long-term follow-up study.
A new study reveals that the HPV vaccine offers long-lasting protection against cervical cancer. The research, conducted by scientists at Karolinska Institutet, the Public Health Agency of Sweden, and Karolinska University Hospital, found that the vaccine’s protective effects remain strong for a minimum of 18 years. This finding is particularly relevant as HPV vaccination is now part of the standard childhood immunization program in Sweden.
The study, published in the medical journal The BMJ, analyzed data from over 926,000 girls and women born between 1985, and 2001. Of these, more than 365,000 had received the HPV vaccine. During the follow-up period, 930 individuals were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, with the vast majority being unvaccinated.
Researchers found that women vaccinated before the age of 17 experienced the greatest benefit, with a nearly 80% reduction in cancer risk compared to those who were not vaccinated. Protection was likewise observed in those vaccinated as young adults. Importantly, the study showed no evidence of waning vaccine effectiveness over time.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is also linked to other cancers, including penile and anal cancer. Currently, all children in Sweden are offered HPV vaccination in fifth grade. The Public Health Agency of Sweden also recommends HPV vaccination for all adults up to the age of 26.
According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, HPV vaccines provide over 90% protection against the HPV types included in the vaccine, provided individuals have not already been infected with those types. The findings could inform future vaccination strategies and public health initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of HPV-related cancers.
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